Reading Law

not as simple as it might seem

Any person under 18 years of age who possesses or goes armed with a dangerous weapon is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

…

This section applies only to a person under 18 years of age who possesses or is armed with a rifle or a shotgun if the person … is not in compliance with ss. 29.304 and 29.593.

Defendant is under 18, and possesses a rifle, which is a dangerous weapon.

The First Question

Which of the following is true:

• Defendant violates the statute if he is not in compliance with s. 29.304, or if he is not in compliance with s. 29.593.

• Defendant violates the statute only if he is not in compliance with s. 29.304, and he is not in compliance with s. 29.593.

Could be either, right? “Not…and” is ambiguous.

With me so far?

The Second Question

Section 29.304 applies only to people under 16 years of age, so it is impossible for Defendant, a 17-year-old, to be “in compliance” with section 29.304.

Section 29.593 applies only to people with hunting permits, so while it is possible for Defendant to b…