ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor

H.B. 787

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Criminal Law
Section 4-101 and 12-102
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2002 Volume and 2003 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Criminal Law

4-101.

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2) "Nunchaku" means a device constructed of two pieces of any
substance, including wood, metal, or plastic, connected by any chain, rope, leather, or
other flexible material not exceeding 31 inches in length.

(3)     (i) "Pepper mace" means an aerosol propelled combination of
highly disabling irritant pepper based products.

(ii) "Pepper mace" is also known as eleoresin capsieum (o.e.) spray.

(4)     "Star knife" means a device used as a throwing weapon, consisting of
several sharp or pointed blades arrayed as radially disposed arms about a central

disk.

(5) (i) "Weapon" includes a dirk knife, bowie knife, switchblade knife,
star knife, sandclub, metal knuckles, razor, and nunchaku.

(ii) "Weapon" does not include:

1. a handgun; or

2. a penknife without a switchblade.

(b) This section does not prohibit the following individuals from carrying a
weapon:

(1) an officer of the State, or of any county or municipal corporation of
the State, who is entitled or required to carry the weapon as part of the officer's
official equipment, or by any conservator of the peace, who is entitled or required to
carry the weapon as part of the conservator's official equipment, or by any officer or
conservator of the peace of another state who is temporarily in this State;

(2) a special agent of a railroad;

(3)     a holder of a permit to carry a handgun issued under Title 5, Subtitle
3 of the Public Safety Article; or

(4)     an individual who carries the weapon as a reasonable precaution
against apprehended danger, subject to the right of the court in an action arising

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