Municipal Laws?

Z

Zerileous

Joined
Dec 30, 2004
Messages
267
I know my state laws well enough, however I am clueless when it comes to municipal code. While I generally think that whatever will be fine as long as I am not being an ass, at 18, sometimes I feel like cops assume I am an ass because of my age. I am not really worried about it, but I have been unable to find any municipal laws for my area. The areas I am primarily concerned about are Kansas City, MO; Gladstone, MO; Kirksville, MO; and also any other KC metro areas are of interest.

Any tips?
 
I have found this.

On first reading it would appear that carrying any conceled knife in KCMO is illegal. I have an email off to the KCMO city attorney's office to clarify just what they mean by "knife". I assume they are using the state's definition which can be found here under Definitions.
 
If your municipalities don't list this information on their website (many do, but probably more do not), you need to take a trip out to the local public library within that municipality.

As the reference librarian for their copy of the municipal code... no need to ask why... and just take it off to a private study carol and flip to the index in the back.
 
Call the local police department and ask for the police chief or the departments public relations officer. They can give you the straight info and don't mind answering such questions in my experience. Where I live I know that they would rather have someone ask than assume and get in trouble.
 
DGG's got a great point, too.

LEOs are not always the best people to ask on ordinance questions--they don't have time to memorize every single one of them--but these are the guys who will enforce them.

Since most knife laws are written with intentional obfuscation (so they *are* subject to interpretation), it'll be the LEO's job to make the decision on whether you're law-abiding or law-avoiding.

Just be respectful when asking, because nothing raises a red flag faster than someone asking 'Is X illegal?' :)
 
CRH said:
I have found this.

On first reading it would appear that carrying any conceled knife in KCMO is illegal. I have an email off to the KCMO city attorney's office to clarify just what they mean by "knife". I assume they are using the state's definition which can be found here under Definitions.
Click to expand...

Uhhgggg....... This doesn't look good. Below is the reply I received from the KCMO city attorney:

"As I am sure you have noted, §50-261 does not include a separate definition
of "knife". Therefore, under Missouri law, it is given its dictionary
definition or meaning. A knife, even one carried for "utility" purposes
cannot be carried and concealed on your person in Kansas City, Mo.

Galen P. Beaufort
City Attorney
816-513-3147
816-513-3133 [FAX]"

So I guess open (non-concealed) carry is OK? I'm awaiting the reply from Mr. Beaufort on that.
 
Well I'm not suggesting anyone volunteer to be the test case, I think a good legal argument can be made that a folding knife in one's pocket is not a "weapon readily capable of lethal use" within the meaning of the KCMO. You mileage may vary.

Best regards,

Argyll
 
interesting
I dont think its reasonable to stop carrying. So I belive it woudl be logical to just use it properly and you wont get in trouble. I once again think that the likely ocurance will be that this is a charge to be added onto other criminal charges.
This is disapointing though.
 
Zerileous said:
I once again think that the likely ocurance will be that this is a charge to be added onto other criminal charges.
This is disapointing though.
Click to expand...

Indeed... criminal charges... like traffic violations.

"Please get out of the car, sir. Do you have any weapons on your person?" :rolleyes:

I'm still awaiting a reply from the city attorney about the non-concealed carry.
 
CRH said:
Indeed... criminal charges... like traffic violations.

"Please get out of the car, sir. Do you have any weapons on your person?" :rolleyes:

I'm still awaiting a reply from the city attorney about the non-concealed carry.
Click to expand...

Aye, there's the rub. Surely a small swiss army knife isn't a weapon, but a concealed doubled-edged boot knife is. So where is the line drawn? That's the problem with poorly drafted laws.

Best regards,

Argyll
 
Argyll said:
So where is the line drawn? That's the problem with poorly drafted laws.
Click to expand...

So far all I can say is that there is no line. Any knife is considered an illegal concealed weapon........ period :grumpy:. I think the city attorney does not want to answer my second question.... or maybe he's taking vacation.....
 
i figure basically it goes into how things are enforced on the street. When the cop asks about weapons and you pull out a pocket knife and a keychain knife, he will invariably ask why you have them. If you say to cut inanimate objects such as boxes, envelopes, food, and plastic packaging, I doubt he will flip out. I mean if you are being an *******, or doing something serious like more than 10 or 15 over (thats serious here...i know it varies) a LEO might get mean about it.
 
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