SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Georgia, in the Assembly met, and is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That from and after the passage of this act, it shall not be lawful for any merchant, or vender of wares or merchandize in this State, or any other person or persons whatsoever, to sell, or offer to sell, or to keep, or have about their person or elsewhere, any of the hereinafter described weapons, to wit: Bowie, or any other kind of knives, manufactured and sold for the purpose of wearing, or carrying the same as arms of oflence or defence, pistols, dirks, sword canes, spears, &c., shall also be contemplated in this act, save such pistols as are known and used, as horseman’s pistols, &c.

[…]

SEC. 4. […] Provided, nevertheless, that tile provisions of this act shall not extend to Sheriffs, Deputy Sheriffs, Marshals, Constables, Overseers or Patrols, in actual discharge of their respective duties, but not otherwise: Provided, also, that no person or persons, shall be found guilty of violating the before recited act, who shall openly wear, externally, Bowie Knives, Dirks, Tooth Picks, Spears, and which shall be exposed plainly to view: And provided, nevertheless, that the provisions of this act shall not extend to prevent venders, or any other persons who now own and have for sale, any of the aforesaid weapons, before the first day of March next.