The following words, when used in this Article, shall have the meanings set out herein:
ANTIQUE, CURIO OR RELIC FIREARM
Any firearm so defined by the National Gun Control Act, 18 U.S.C. Title 26, §5845, and the United States Treasury/Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 27 CFR 178.11:
1. 
"Antique firearm" is any firearm not designed or redesigned for using rim fire or conventional center fire ignition with fixed ammunition and manufactured in or before 1898, said ammunition not being manufactured any longer; this includes any matchlock, wheel lock, flintlock, percussion cap or similar type ignition system, or replica thereof;
2. 
Curio or relic firearm is any firearm deriving value as a collectible weapon due to its unique design, ignition system, operation or at least fifty (50) years old, associated with a historical event, renown personage or major war.
BLACKJACK
Any instrument that is designed or adapted for the purpose of stunning or inflicting physical injury by striking a person, and which is readily capable of lethal use.
BLASTING AGENT
Any material or mixture, consisting of fuel and oxidizer that is intended for blasting, but not otherwise defined as an explosive under this Section, provided that the finished product, as mixed for use of shipment, cannot be detonated by means of a numbered 8 test blasting cap when unconfined.
CONCEALABLE FIREARM
Any firearm with a barrel less than sixteen (16) inches in length, measured from the face of the bolt or standing breech.
DEFACE
To alter or destroy the manufacturer's or importer's serial number or any other distinguishing number or identification mark.
DETONATOR
Any device containing a detonating charge that is used for initiating detonation in an explosive, including but not limited to, electric blasting caps of instantaneous and delay types, non-electric blasting caps for use with safety fuse or shock tube and detonating cord delay connectors.
EXPLOSIVE WEAPON
Any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas bomb or similar device designed or adapted for the purpose of inflicting death, serious physical injury or substantial property damage; or any device designed or adapted for delivering or shooting such a weapon. For the purposes of this Article, the term "explosive" shall mean any chemical compound mixture or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion, including but not limited to, dynamite and other high explosives, pellet powder, initiating explosives, detonators, safety fuses, squibs, detonating cords, igniter cords, and igniters or blasting agents.
FIREARM
Any weapon that is designed or adapted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive.
FIREARM SILENCER
Any instrument, attachment or appliance that is designed or adapted to muffle the noise made by the firing of any firearm.
GAS GUN
Any gas ejection device, weapon, cartridge, container or contrivance, other than a gas bomb, that is designed or adapted for the purpose of ejecting any poison gas that will cause death or serious physical injury, but not any device that ejects a repellent or temporary incapacitating substance.
INTOXICATED
Substantially impaired mental or physical capacity resulting from introduction of any substance into the body.
KNIFE
Any dagger, dirk, stiletto, or bladed hand instrument that is readily capable of inflicting serious physical injury or death by cutting or stabbing a person. For purposes of this Article, "knife" does not include any ordinary pocketknife with no blade more than four (4) inches in length.
KNUCKLES
Any instrument that consists of finger rings or guards made of a hard substance that is designed or adapted for the purpose of inflicting serious physical injury or death by striking a person with a fist enclosed in the knuckles.
MACHINE GUN
Any firearm that is capable of firing more than one (1) shot automatically, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger.
PROJECTILE WEAPON
Any bow, crossbow, pellet gun, slingshot or other weapon that is not a firearm, which is capable of expelling a projectile that could inflict serious physical injury or death by striking or piercing a person.
RIFLE
Any firearm designed or adapted to be fired from the shoulder and to use the energy of the explosive in a fixed metallic cartridge to fire a projectile through a rifled bore by a single function of the trigger.
SHORT BARREL
A barrel length of less than sixteen (16) inches for a rifle and eighteen (18) inches for a shotgun, both measured from the face of the bolt or standing breech, or an overall rifle or shotgun length of less than twenty-six (26) inches.
SHOTGUN
Any firearm designed or adapted to be fired from the shoulder and to use the energy of the explosive in a fixed shotgun shell to fire a number of shot or a single projectile through a smooth bore barrel by a single function of the trigger.
SPRING GUN
Any fused, timed or non-manually controlled trap or device designed or adapted to set off an explosion for the purpose of inflicting serious physical injury or death.
SWITCHBLADE KNIFE
Any knife which has a blade that folds or closes into the handle or sheath, and
1. 
That opens automatically by pressure applied to a button or other device located on the handle; or
2. 
That opens or releases from the handle or sheath by the force of gravity or by the application of centrifugal force.
A. 
A person commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons if he/she knowingly:
1. 
Carries concealed upon or about his/her person a knife, a firearm, a blackjack or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use; or
2. 
Sets a spring gun; or
3. 
Discharges or shoots a firearm within the City limits;[2] or
[2]
State Law Reference: §252.243.3, RSMo., limits the discharge of firearms in certain areas known as "Hunting Heritage Protection Areas," which are defined therein.
4. 
Exhibits, in the presence of one (1) or more persons, any weapon readily capable of lethal use in an angry or threatening manner; or
5. 
Has a firearm or projectile weapon readily capable of lethal use on his/her person, while he/she is intoxicated, and handles or otherwise uses such firearm or projectile weapon in either a negligent or unlawful manner or discharges such firearm or projectile weapon unless acting in self defense; or
6. 
Openly carries a firearm or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use within the City limits; or
7. 
Carries a firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use into any school, onto any school bus, or onto the premises of any function or activity sponsored or sanctioned by school officials or the district school board.
8. 
Possesses a firearm while also knowingly in possession of a controlled substance that is sufficient for a felony violation of Section 579.015, RSMo.
B. 
Subsections (A)(1) and (7) of this Section shall not apply to the persons described in this Subsection, regardless of whether such uses are reasonably associated with or are necessary to the fulfillment of such person's official duties except as otherwise provided in this Subsection. Subsections (A)(3) and (4) of this Section shall not apply to or affect any of the following persons, when such uses are reasonably associated with or are necessary to the fulfillment of such person's official duties, except as otherwise provided in this Subsection:
1. 
All State, County and Municipal Peace Officers who have completed the training required by the Police Officer Standards and Training Commission pursuant to Sections 590.030 to 590.050, RSMo., and who possess the duty and power of arrest for violation of the general criminal laws of the State or for violation of ordinances of Counties or Municipalities of the State, whether such officers are on or off duty, and whether such officers are within or outside of the law enforcement agency's jurisdiction, or all qualified retired Peace Officers, as defined in Subsection (11) of Section 571.030, RSMo., and who carry the identification defined in Subsection (12) of Section 571.030, RSMo., or any person summoned by such officers to assist in making arrests or preserving the peace while actually engaged in assisting such officer;
2. 
Wardens, superintendents and keepers of prisons, penitentiaries, jails and other institutions for the detention of persons accused or convicted of crime;
3. 
Members of the Armed Forces or National Guard while performing their official duty;
4. 
Those persons vested by Article V, Section 1, of the Constitution of Missouri with the judicial power of the State and those persons vested by Article III of the Constitution of the United States with the judicial power of the United States, the members of the Federal judiciary;
5. 
Any person whose bona fide duty is to execute process, civil or criminal;
6. 
Any Federal Probation Officer or Federal Flight Deck Officer as defined under the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program, 49 U.S.C. §44921, regardless of whether such officers are on duty, or within the law enforcement agency's jurisdiction;
7. 
Any State Probation or Parole Officer, including supervisors and members of the Board of Probation and Parole;
8. 
Any corporate security advisor meeting the definition and fulfilling the requirements of the regulations established by the Department of Public Safety under Section 590.750, RSMo.;
9. 
Any coroner, deputy coroner, medical examiner or assistant medical examiner;
10. 
Any prosecuting attorney or assistant prosecuting attorney, circuit attorney or assistant circuit attorney or any person appointed by a court to be a special prosecutor who has completed the firearms safety training course required under Subsection (2) of Section 571.111, RSMo.;
11. 
Any member of a Fire Department or Fire Protection District who is employed on a full-time basis as a fire investigator and who has a valid concealed carry endorsement issued prior to August 28, 2013, or valid concealed carry permit under Section 571.111, RSMo., when such uses are reasonably associated with or are necessary to the fulfillment of such person's official duties; and
12. 
Upon the written approval of the Governing Body of a Fire Department or Fire Protection District, any paid Fire Department or Fire Protection District Chief who is employed on a full-time basis and who has a valid concealed carry endorsement issued prior to August 28, 2013, or a valid concealed carry permit, when such uses are reasonably associated with or are necessary to the fulfillment of such person's official duties.
C. 
Subsections (A)(1), (5) and (7) of this Section do not apply when the actor is transporting such weapons in a non-functioning state or in an unloaded state when ammunition is not readily accessible or when such weapons are not readily accessible. Subsection (A)(1) of this Section does not apply to any person nineteen (19) years of age or older or eighteen (18) years of age or older and a member of the United States Armed Forces, or honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces, transporting a concealable firearm in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, so long as such concealable firearm is otherwise lawfully possessed, nor when the actor is also in possession of an exposed firearm or projectile weapon for the lawful pursuit of game, or is in his/her dwelling unit or upon premises over which the actor has possession, authority or control, or is traveling in a continuous journey peaceably through this State. Subsection (A)(7) of this Section does not apply if the firearm is otherwise lawfully possessed by a person while traversing school premises for the purposes of transporting a student to or from school, or possessed by an adult for the purposes of facilitation of a school-sanctioned firearm-related event or club event.
D. 
Subsections (A)(1) and (7) of this Section shall not apply to any person who has a valid concealed carry permit issued pursuant to Sections 571.101 to 571.121, RSMo., a valid concealed carry endorsement issued before August 28, 2013, or a valid permit or endorsement to carry concealed firearms issued by another State or political subdivision of another State.
E. 
Subsections (A)(3), (4), (5) and (7) of this Section shall not apply to persons who are engaged in a lawful act of defense pursuant to Section 563.031, RSMo.
F. 
Nothing in this Section shall make it unlawful for a student to actually participate in school-sanctioned gun safety courses, student military or ROTC courses, or other school-sponsored or club-sponsored firearm-related events, provided the student does not carry a firearm or other weapon readily capable of lethal use into any school, onto any school bus, or onto the premises of any other function or activity sponsored or sanctioned by school officials or the district school board.
[1]
Note: Under certain circumstances this offense can be a felony under state law.
A. 
A person commits an offense if such person knowingly possesses, manufactures, transports, repairs, or sells:
1. 
An explosive weapon;
2. 
An explosive, incendiary or poison substance or material with the purpose to possess, manufacture or sell an explosive weapon;
3. 
A gas gun;
4. 
A bullet or projectile which explodes or detonates upon impact because of an independent explosive charge after having been shot from a firearm;
5. 
Knuckles; or
6. 
Any of the following in violation of Federal law:
a. 
A machine gun;
b. 
A short-barreled rifle or shotgun;
c. 
A firearm silencer; or
d. 
A switchblade knife.
B. 
A person does not commit an offense pursuant to this Section if his/her conduct involved any of the items in Subsections (A)(1) through (5), the item was possessed in conformity with any applicable Federal law, and the conduct:
1. 
Was incident to the performance of official duty by the Armed Forces, National Guard, a governmental law enforcement agency or a penal institution; or
2. 
Was incident to engaging in a lawful commercial or business transaction with an organization enumerated in Subparagraph (1) of this Subsection; or
3. 
Was incident to using an explosive weapon in a manner reasonably related to a lawful industrial or commercial enterprise; or
4. 
Was incident to displaying the weapon in a public museum or exhibition; or
5. 
Was incident to using the weapon in a manner reasonably related to a lawful dramatic performance.
[1]
Note: Under certain circumstances this offense can be a felony under state law.
A person commits the offense of defacing a firearm if he/she knowingly defaces any firearm.
Residents of the State of Missouri may purchase firearms in any State, provided that such residents conform to the applicable provisions of the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. §921 et seq., and regulations thereunder, and provided further that such residents conform to the provisions of law applicable to such purchase in the State of Missouri and in the State in which the purchase is made.
Residents of any State may purchase firearms in the State of Missouri, provided that such residents conform to the applicable provisions of the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. §921 et seq., and regulations thereunder, and provided further that such residents conform to the provisions of law applicable to such purchase in the State of Missouri and in the State in which such persons reside.
A. 
A person commits the offense of unlawful transfer of weapons if he/she:
1. 
Knowingly sells, leases, loans, gives away or delivers a blackjack to a person less than eighteen (18) years old without the consent of the child's custodial parent or guardian or recklessly, as defined in Section 562.016, RSMo., sells, leases, loans, gives away or delivers any firearm to a person less than eighteen (18) years old without the consent of the child's custodial parent or guardian; provided that this does not prohibit the delivery of such weapons to any Peace Officer or member of the Armed Forces or National Guard while performing his/her official duty; or
2. 
Recklessly, as defined in Section 562.016, RSMo., sells, leases, loans, gives away or delivers a firearm or ammunition for a firearm to a person who is intoxicated.
[1]
Note: Under certain circumstances this offense can be a felony under state law.
A. 
It shall be a violation of this Section, punishable as hereinafter provided, for any person to carry any concealed firearm into:
1. 
Any Police, Sheriff or Highway Patrol office or station without the consent of the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in charge of that office or station. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of the office or station shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;
2. 
Within twenty-five (25) feet of any polling place on any election day. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of the polling place shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;
3. 
The facility of any adult or juvenile detention or correctional institution, prison or jail. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of any adult, juvenile detention or correctional institution, prison or jail shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;
4. 
Any courthouse solely occupied by the Circuit, Appellate or Supreme Court, or any courtrooms, administrative offices, libraries or other rooms of any such court whether or not such court solely occupies the building in question. This Subsection shall also include, but not be limited to, any juvenile, family, drug or other court offices, any room or office wherein any of the courts or offices listed in this Subsection are temporarily conducting any business within the jurisdiction of such courts or offices, and such other locations in such manner as may be specified by Supreme Court Rule pursuant to Subdivision (6) of Subsection (1) of Section 571.107, RSMo. Nothing in this Subsection shall preclude those persons listed in Subsection (B)(1) of Section 210.840 while within their jurisdiction and on duty, those persons listed in Subsections (B)(2), (4) and (10) of Section 210.840, or such other persons who serve in a law enforcement capacity for a court as may be specified by Supreme Court Rule pursuant to Subdivision (6) of Subsection (1) of Section 571.107, RSMo., from carrying a concealed firearm within any of the areas described in this Subsection. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of any of the areas listed in this Subsection shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;
5. 
Any meeting of the Belle Board of Aldermen, except that nothing in this Subsection shall preclude a member of the Board of Aldermen holding a valid concealed carry permit or endorsement from carrying a concealed firearm at a meeting of the Board of Aldermen of which he or she is a member. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;
6. 
Any building owned, leased or controlled by the City of Belle identified by signs posted at the entrance to the building. This Subsection shall not apply to any building used for public housing by private persons, highways or rest areas, firing ranges, and private dwellings owned, leased, or controlled by the City of Belle. Persons violating this Subsection may be denied entrance to the building, ordered to leave the building and, if employees of the City, be subjected to disciplinary measures for violation;
7. 
Any establishment licensed to dispense intoxicating liquor for consumption on the premises, which portion is primarily devoted to that purpose, without the consent of the owner or manager. The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to the licensee of said establishment. The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to any bona fide restaurant open to the general public having dining facilities for not less than fifty (50) persons and that receives at least fifty-one percent (51%) of its gross annual income from the dining facilities by the sale of food. This Subsection does not prohibit the possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of the establishment and shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises. Nothing in this Subsection authorizes any individual who has been issued a concealed carry permit or endorsement to possess any firearm while intoxicated;
8. 
Any area of an airport to which access is controlled by the inspection of persons and property. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of the airport shall not be a violation so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;
9. 
Any place where the carrying of a firearm is prohibited by Federal law;
10. 
Any higher education institution or elementary or secondary school facility without the consent of the Governing Body of the higher education institution or a school official or the district school board, unless the person with the concealed carry endorsement or permit is a teacher or administrator of an elementary or secondary school who has been designated by his or her school district as a school protection officer and is carrying a firearm in a school within that district, in which case no consent is required. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of any higher education institution or elementary or secondary school facility shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;
11. 
Any portion of a building used as a child care facility without the consent of the manager. Nothing in this Subsection shall prevent the operator of a child care facility in a family home from owning or possessing a firearm or a concealed carry permit or endorsement;
12. 
Any riverboat gambling operation accessible by the public without the consent of the owner or manager pursuant to rules promulgated by the Gaming Commission. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of a riverboat gambling operation shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;
13. 
Any gated area of an amusement park. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of the amusement park shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;
14. 
Any church or other place of religious worship without the consent of the minister or person or persons representing the religious organization that exercises control over the place of religious worship. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;
15. 
Any private property whose owner has posted the premises as being off-limits to concealed firearms by means of one (1) or more signs displayed in a conspicuous place of a minimum size of eleven (11) inches by fourteen (14) inches with the writing thereon in letters of not less than one (1) inch. The owner, business or commercial lessee, manager of a private business enterprise, or any other organization, entity or person may prohibit persons holding a concealed carry permit or endorsement from carrying concealed firearms on the premises and may prohibit employees, not authorized by the employer, holding a concealed carry permit or endorsement from carrying concealed firearms on the property of the employer. If the building or the premises are open to the public, the employer of the business enterprise shall post signs on or about the premises if carrying a concealed firearm is prohibited. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises. An employer may prohibit employees or other persons holding a concealed carry permit or endorsement from carrying a concealed firearm in vehicles owned by the employer;
16. 
Any sports arena or stadium with a seating capacity of five thousand (5,000) or more. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;
17. 
Any hospital accessible by the public. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of a hospital shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises.
B. 
Any person violating any of the provisions of Subsection (A) of this Section shall be punished as follows:
1. 
If the violator holds a concealed carry permit or endorsement issued pursuant to State law, the violator may be subject to denial to the premises or removal from the premises. If such person refuses to leave the premises and a Peace Officer is summoned, such person may be issued a citation for an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the first offense. If a second citation for a similar violation occurs within a six-month period, such person shall be fined an amount not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00). If a third citation for a similar violation is issued within one (1) year of the first citation, such person shall be fined an amount not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00). Upon conviction of charges arising from a citation issued pursuant to this Section, the court shall notify the Sheriff of the County which issued the concealed carry permit, or, if the person is a holder of a concealed carry endorsement issued prior to August 28, 2013, the court shall notify the Sheriff of the County which issued the certificate of qualification for a concealed carry permit or endorsement and the Department of Revenue.
2. 
If the violator does not hold a current valid concealed carry permit or endorsement issued pursuant to State law, upon conviction of a charge of violating this Section the defendant shall be punished as provided in Section 100.220 of this Code of Ordinances.
3. 
Employees of the City of Belle may, in addition to any other punishment hereby, be subject to disciplinary action.
C. 
It shall be a violation of this Section, punishable by a citation for an amount not to exceed thirty-five dollars ($35.00), for any person issued a concealed carry permit or endorsement pursuant to State law to fail to carry the concealed carry permit or endorsement at all times the person is carrying a concealed firearm, or to fail to display the concealed carry permit or endorsement upon the request of any Peace Officer.
Any person who has a valid concealed carry endorsement issued prior to August 28, 2013, or a valid concealed carry permit, and who is lawfully carrying a firearm in a concealed manner, may briefly and openly display the firearm to the ordinary sight of another person, unless the firearm is intentionally displayed in an angry or threatening manner, not in necessary self-defense.
Any person within the limits of this City who shall discharge any BB gun which expels a projectile by means of a spring, air or any other means, paintball gun or air gun or shall shoot any pebble, bullet, slug, arrow or other hard substance by means of a sling, crossbow, rubber band or bow or any other means shall be deemed guilty of an ordinance violation.
The discharge of firearms in connection with any turkey shoots or other charitable event may be authorized by the Board of Aldermen.