SEC. 55. That it shall be unlawful for any person to carry any gun, pistol, bowie-knife or other dangerous weapon, concealed or unconcealed, on any day of election, during the hours the polls are open, within a distance of one half mile of any place of election. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction should be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars, and by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than one month; provided, that the provisions of this section shall not apply to any officer of the election, police officer or other person authorized to preserve the peace on the days of election.