Hallsville Proof of Age Required, When Defense to Action for Violation Is Reasonable Reliance on Proof: Liability ordinance (§ 210.1960)

A. Before distributing any tobacco product, the tobacco retailer or his or her agent, employee, or representative shall verify that the purchaser is at least twenty-one (21) years of age. Each distributor shall examine the purchaser's government-issued photographic identification. No such verification is required for a person over the age of thirty (30). That a purchaser appeared to be thirty (30) years of age or older shall not constitute a defense to a violation of this Section.

B. The operator's or chauffeur's license issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 302.177, RSMo., or the operator's or chauffeur's license issued pursuant to the laws of any state or possession of the United States to residents of those states or possessions, or an identification card as provided for in Section 302.181, RSMo., or the identification card issued by any uniformed service of the United States, or a valid passport shall be presented by the holder thereof upon request of any enforcement authority or any owner or employee of an establishment that sells tobacco products, alternative nicotine products or vapor products for the purpose of aiding the registrant, agent or employee to determine whether or not the person is at least twenty-one (21) years of age when such person desires to purchase or possess tobacco products, alternative nicotine products or vapor products procured from a registrant. Upon such presentation, the owner or employee of the establishment shall compare the photograph and physical characteristics noted on the license, identification card or passport with the physical characteristics of the person presenting the license, identification card or passport.

C. Any person who shall, without authorization from the Department of Revenue, reproduce, alter, modify or misrepresent any chauffeur's license, motor vehicle operator's license or identification card shall be deemed guilty of an ordinance violation.

D. Reasonable reliance on proof of age shall be a defense to any action for a violation of Subsections (A), (B) and (C) of Section 210.1940 of this Article.