The following definitions apply to this chapter:
“Ball flail”
means any device consisting of a ball, with or without spikes, attached by a chain, rope, strap, or similar method, to a handle and which can be used for striking.
“Blade”
has its usual and ordinary meaning and includes the shank.
“Dangerous knife”
means any knife having a blade more than three and one-half inches in length or any dagger, sword, bayonet, bolo knife, hatchet, straight-edge razor, or razor blade not in its package, dispenser, or shaving appliance.
“Deadly weapon”
is an instrument capable of being used offensively or defensively and likely to cause death or serious bodily harm.
“Fighting knife”
means:
1. 
Any knife with a handle or guard with spikes, serrations, sharp edges, or metal knuckles;
2. 
Any knife that is designed for fighting or self-defense and utilizes two or more blades at once;
3. 
A balisong knife. “Balisong knife” means a single- or double-edged blade knife which has a two-piece handle. The two halves of the handle sheathe the blade when it is in the closed position. In the open position, the two halves of the handle form a haft. A balisong knife is also known as a butterfly knife.
4. 
A disguised knife. “Disguised knife” means any knife, blade, or pointed tool encased in or disguised as a writing pen or any knife, blade, or pointed tool encased in or disguised as a cane.
5. 
Any knife which opens automatically when pulled from its sheath.
6. 
Any knife or device which consists of three or more blades radiating from a central hub or handle.
7. 
A ballistic knife. “Ballistic knife” means a knife with a detachable blade that is propelled by a spring-operated mechanism.
“Martial arts weapon”
includes, but is not limited to, the following devices in common usage in what is known as the martial arts or arts of self-defense: Nuchaku (chako sticks), consisting of two or more lengths of wood, metal, plastic, or similar substance connected with wire, rope, or other means; throwing stars, which are multi-pointed, metal objects designed to embed upon impact from any aspect; ninja chains; sai; tonfa; three section staffs; spike balls; telescopic metal stick (telescopic police baton); jutte; and kama.
“Slung shot”
means a metal ball or metal shot or similar substance encased in leather or other material with a cord or strap attached for swinging.
“Switchblade knife”
means any knife having a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring mechanism, or other device, or a blade that opens, falls, or is ejected into position by force of gravity or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement.
(Ord. 25526 § 1, 1994-06-21; Ord. 25907 § 1, 1996-05-28; Ord. 27506 § 1, 2006-07-25; Ord. 28433 Ex. A, 2017-06-27)
(Students carrying dangerous weapons on school premises – Penalty – Exceptions. Ord. 25526 § 2, 1994-06-21; repealed by Ord. 27506 § 4, 2006-07-25)
(Firearms prohibited in certain places – Local laws and ordinances – Exceptions – Penalty. Ord. 25526 § 3, 1994-06-21; repealed by Ord. 27506 § 5, 2006-07-25)
(False statement to obtain pistol permits. Ord. 22600 § 59, 1981-12-29; Ord. 24614 § 5, 1990-04-17; repealed by Ord. 27506 § 6, 2006-07-25)
(Unlawful delivery to purchaser. Ord. 22600 § 59, 1981-12-29; repealed by Ord. 24614 § 6, 1990-04-17)
(Unlawful purchases – False statements. Ord. 22600 § 59, 1981-12-29; repealed by Ord. 24614 § 6, 1990-04-17)
A. 
Violations. It is unlawful for a person:
1. 
To sell, manufacture, purchase, possess, or carry any blackjack, sandclub, slungshot, metal knuckles, switchblade knife, fighting knife, martial arts weapon, or ball flail; or
2. 
Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.66.090 hereof, to carry on his or her person or in any vehicle any dangerous knife or deadly weapon; or to sell or give away to any person under 18 years of age any dangerous knife or deadly weapon; or for any such person to purchase or possess any such dangerous knife or deadly weapon.
3. 
Exceptions. The prohibitions contained in this section on police batons shall not apply to any law enforcement officer or corrections officer while in the performance of his or her official duties, to any animal control officer while in the performance of his or her official duties, or to any military personnel while in the performance of his or her duties.
4. 
Penalties. Any violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor. Any person convicted of violating this section shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor and subject to a maximum penalty of $5,000 or one year in jail, or both such fine and imprisonment.
5. 
Should any subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this section, or its application to any person or situation, be declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this section or its application to any other person or situation. The City Council of the City of Tacoma hereby declares that it would have adopted this section, and each subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more subsections, sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
(Ord. 25526 § 4, 1994-06-21; Ord. 25907 § 2, 1996-05-28; Ord. 26167 § 1, 1998-01-13; Ord. 27506 § 2, 2006-07-25; Ord. 28433 Ex. A, 2017-06-27)
The proscriptions of Section 8.66.080A.2, relating to dangerous knives, shall not apply to:
A. 
Individual licensed hunters, boaters, fishermen, and scuba divers while on a hunting, camping, boating, fishing, or scuba-diving trip; or
B. 
Any person carrying such knife in a secure wrapper or in a tool box while traveling from or to the place of purchase or a place of repair, from or to such person’s home or place of business, or in moving from one place of abode or business to another, or while in such person’s place of abode or fixed place of business; or
C. 
Any person who, by virtue of his or her public office or public employment, is vested by law with a duty to preserve public safety, maintain public order, or to make arrests for offenses while in the performance of such duty; or
D. 
Any person engaged in military activities sponsored by the federal or state governments; or
E. 
Any person, while in his or her place of abode or fixed place of business, except that this subsection is not a defense to selling or giving away any dangerous knife or deadly weapon to any person under 18 years of age.
(Ord. 25526 § 5, 1994-06-21; Ord. 27506 § 3, 2006-07-25)
(Exception to restrictions on carrying pistols. Ord. 25526 § 6, 1994-06-21; Ord. 25907 § 3, 1996-05-28; repealed by Ord. 27506 § 7, 2006-07-25)
(Destruction by court order. Ord. 25526 § 7, 1994-06-21; repealed by Ord. 27506 § 8, 2006-07-25)
It is unlawful for any person to shoot or discharge any air gun, air rifle, B-B gun, or slingshot in the City of Tacoma, except that a person may shoot or discharge any air gun, air rifle, or B-B gun for recreational purposes in a licensed indoor business facility designed and operated for such purposes, where the shooting or discharging will not endanger any person or property or create a nuisance for the public or any adjacent property owner.
(Ord. 22600 § 59, 1981-12-29; Ord. 28321 Ex. A, 2015-09-29)
Whenever any person shall be convicted of violating any of the provisions of Section 8.66.120 of this chapter, the air gun, air rifle, BB gun, or slingshot so discharged shall be confiscated and ordered destroyed by the Municipal Court of the City of Tacoma.
(Ord. 22600 § 59, 1981-12-29; Ord. 28321 Ex. A, 2015-09-29)
Every person convicted of violating any of the provisions of this chapter, except as otherwise provided, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined in a sum not exceeding $1,000.00 or imprisoned for a term not exceeding 90 days, or both so fined and imprisoned.
(Ord. 22600 § 59, 1981-12-29; Ord. 24295 § 2, 1989-01-31; Ord. 24614 § 9, 1990-04-17)
(Loaded rifles in vehicles. Ord. 24295 § 3, 1989-01-31; repealed by Ord. 27506 § 9, 2006-07-25)