West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-03-11
PISTOL TOT|E LAW
When aud How II Is Safe 10 Carry
a Weapon.
FEATURES OF The NEW MEASURE
Must Publish Notice and Apply to Cir
cult court-Jsn Sentence for
the First onense.

One OF the bills passed 10y the legisla-
tune which has attracted more than state.
wide attention bccausc Of the sentiment
sweeping the country against the pistol
toter was the johnson pistol bill, which
carries with it for the second oflense a
penitentiary sentence.
The first section OF the bill provides
that IL any person carry revolver, dirk,
razor, billy, metallic or false knucklcs, OF
any other dangerous or deadly weapon
without II state license therefor he shall
be guilty of misdcmeanor and on con-
viction shall he confined in the county
Jail for not less than six months, but on
the second ofiense he shall bc confined in
the penitentiary not less than one nor
more than five years. IL is made the duty
OF the prosecuting attorney to ascertain
whether the charge is the first or second
ofcnsc.
Any person may obtain license TO
carry such weapon within any county 10y
publishing notice in some newspaper
setting forth his name, residence, and
occupation, and that ON certain day he
will apply 20 the circuit court for such
license, and such publication shall be
made ten days before said application is
made.
The court may grant such license in
the following manner;
First-Such person must prove to the
court that he is over 81 years Of age that
lac is II person OF good moral habits and
is not addicted 10 intoXication and has
not been convicted of n felony or any
other oiicnse involving the unlawful use
of such weapon.
Socond-The applicant must file with
the court good and sufficient reasons for
carrying such weapon. Before the license
granted may become effective fee of $40
must bc paid TO the sheriff and bond
given in the penalty OF 81, 900 upon which
the applicant will be liable for all dam
ages accruing TO any one 10y the acct
dental discharge, or improper, negligent,
or illegal discharge Of said weapon.
Any such license granted will be good
for one year unless sooner revoked, and
all licenses shall be paid over by the sher-
i'll 90 the auditor as other taxes are paid
Il. is provided that all such licenses shall
be co-eXtcnsive with the state and that
nothing in the act shall prevent any per-
son from carrying any such weapon upon
his own premises.
IL is further provided that nothing con-
tanned in the act shall be construed rs 10
prohibit regularly elected sherifls, their
regularly appointed delegates who collect
taxes in each county, and all regularly |
elected constables in their respective coun-
ties and districts, and all regularly APP
pointed officers OF their respective towns
or villages from carrying such weapons
as they are now authorized TO carry, who
shall have given bonds in the penalty OF |
not less than $500 conditioned for the |
faithful performance of their respective |
duties, which said officials shall be liable |
upon their said official bonds for the |
damage done 10y the unlawful or careless |
use Of any such weapon, whether such |
bond is so conditioned or not.
1t is made the duty Of all ministerial |
officers, consisting of the justices Of the |
peace, notaries public, and other con-
SENATORS Of the peace, 10 report 10 prose
cutting attorney the names Of all persons
violating; failing to do 80, shall be fined
not exceeding 5000 and be liable 10 re-
moval from office.