Judge hears testimony in case of St. Louis Zoo gun ban

ST. LOUIS -- A judge heard testimony as she considers lifting the St. Louis Zoo policy that prohibits patrons from entering the zoo with guns.

St. Louis Circuit Judge Joan Moriarty issued a temporary order June 12 upholding the ban after Jeffry Smith of Cincinnati said he planned to lead a group of activists packing handguns into the zoo to challenge the policy.

Smith entered the zoo the next day wearing an empty holster.

The zoo wants the judge to extend her June order and eventually make it permanent.

Smith is asking the judge to drop the zoo's ban.

Missouri residents passed an amendment last year for the state constitution, guaranteeing an "unalienable" right to bear arms in the state.

The zoo says its operation of a preschool and other educational programs for children meet the state definition of an amusement park. Guns are banned in amusement parks under Missouri law.

Dustin Deschamp, vice president of internal relations at the zoo, testified for Tuesday in defense of the zoo's arguments and said he thinks a lot of families would stop coming to the zoo if the ban were lifted.

"If families and children are walking next to individuals with firearms exposed, it would really cause nervousness and fear among those families," Deschamp said.

Jane Hogan, Smith's attorney, said Tuesday the zoo has failed to show any reason to prohibit weapons.

"The only fear they have is that someone is going to see a firearm," Hogan said.

Smith, who teaches concealed-carry courses, said he honored local laws even if he did not agree with them.

In response to questioning from the zoo's lawyer, Adam Hirtz, Smith said he has a constitutional right to enter the zoo armed.