Judge extends gun ban involving St. Louis Zoo

ST. LOUIS — A judge has extended a temporary order barring St. Louis Zoo visitors from entering the site with guns.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported St. Louis Circuit Judge Joan Moriarty filed an order Friday barring a Cincinnati man or anyone acting with him from concealing or openly carrying guns inside the zoo for now.

Moriarty’s order continues a temporary ban issued in June after Ohio gun-rights activist Jeffry Smith announced plans to lead an armed group into the zoo to challenge its policy prohibiting guns.

The day after the temporary order, Smith entered the zoo wearing an empty holster.

Smith’s lawyer said the legal fight isn’t over, and Moriarty’s order applies only to the temporary injunction.

The zoo wants to the gun ban to be made permanent.

Information from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, http://www.stltoday.com