ART. 6490. [55] (1) 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. (2) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction shall 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.