ARTICLE 16
CONCEALED WEAPONS
WHEREAS: the General Assembly has determined that persons may carry concealed weapons with certain
restrictions within the State of North Carolina.
WHEREAS: The Town Council has, after due deliberation, determined that the public safety will be promoted by the
prohibition of concealed weapons upon municipal owned property; and,
WHEREAS: the Town has legal authority to prohibit concealed weapons on its property in the interest of public safety.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF HOLLY RIDGE, NORTH CAROLINA:
Section 1.
It shall be unlawful for any person, willfully and intentionally to carry concealed about his person any bowie knife,
dirk, dagger, switch blade, sling shot, loaded cane, metallic knuckles, razor, stun gun, pistol, gun or other deadly
weapon of any kind, when in, on or about, the Town owned property listed in Section Four (4) herein below.
Section 2.
This ordinance shall not apply to:
a. An ordinary pocket knife carried in the closed position. As used in this section, an “ordinary pocket knife” means a
small knife, designed for carrying in a pocket or purse, which has a cutting edge and point entirely enclosed by its
handle, and that may not be opened by a throwing, explosive or spring action.
b. Law enforcement officers and military personnel when acting in the line of duty, and full time law enforcement
officers when off duty, provided that they are otherwise authorized to carry such weapon.
c. Provided that the weapon is not a firearm, it shall be a defense to prosecution under this ordinance that the
defendant was engaged in, or on the way to or from, an activity in which he lawfully used the weapon, he possessed
the weapon specifically for that lawful use and he did not use, threaten or attempt to use the weapon for any illegal
purpose. The defendant shall have the burden of proof with regard to such defense.
Section 3.
This ordinance will apply to and with respect to the following properties:
a. The interior of all town owned buildings to wit: Town Hall, Maintenance Building, the Wastewater Treatment
Buildings, Water Treatment Buildings, Municipal Library, Municipal Community Center.
b. Properties on which the buildings located in part “a” above are located.
c. The confines of the following Town owned public recreation facilities, including but not limited to buildings located
thereon, to wit: Holly Ridge Municipal Park.
Section 4.
Any person violating the provisions of this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Section 5.
This ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption and approval.
This the 20th day of March, 1996
Roscoe Henderson
Mayor
Brenda Padgett
Town Clerk