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Gun in Theater in Ohio

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wallace11bravo:
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Police-Ohio-man-movie-goer-had-gun-for-protection-3768540.php

"COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A northeast Ohio man brought a gun, ammunition and several knives to a showing of the latest Batman movie because he wanted to protect himself in case someone tried to replicate last month's deadly Colorado theater shooting, his attorney said Tuesday.

Scott A. Smith, 37, had no intention of causing harm or inducing panic when he brought the weapons to a Saturday showing of "The Dark Knight Rises," said his attorney, Matthew Bruce.

"With the recent shooting in Colorado, and the other incidents around the country in regards to threats, he felt that he needed protection," Bruce said.

...

Smith brought the weapons to a Regal Cinemas theater in Westlake, just outside of Cleveland, and seated himself in the middle of the back row of the theater, a half hour before the movie started, police said.

A theater manager and an off-duty police officer working security stopped Smith after they became suspicious of a bag he was carrying, said Westlake Police Lt. Ray Arcuri.

"Why pick that movie? Why that theater? Why sit in the back all the way like that? Why bring the gun?" he said. "There's several unanswered questions."

Smith was arrested without incident and is currently jailed.

He was expected to be indicted on several weapons charges, but it's still too early to determine what those charges will be, said Nicole DiSanto of the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's office.

...

The officer said Smith consented to a search inside the theater. Arcuri said the officer was more familiar with the bag, and knew where to look when he found a loaded 9 mm Glock pistol with two extra loaded magazines, Arcuri said. The officer also found three knifes in the bag and another knife on Smith, he said. There were also medical supplies, but Arcuri would not elaborate on what they were.

When the officer asked Smith why he brought the weapons into the theater, Smith offered to put them in his car.

Police searched Smith's North Ridgeville home Monday night and found more weapons, including at least six pistols and several shotguns and rifles, and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Arcuri said Smith, who did not have a concealed carry permit, should not have brought any weapon to the theater.

"Our job is to protect the community," he said of police. "It's not his role. If there's a gun, it's because our officers brought it. It's not his job to bring the gun, it's ours.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Attorney-Ohio-movie-goer-had-gun-for-protection-3768540.php#ixzz22uAeSV3r

Lessons:
1. Do not carry concealed without a permit
2. NEVER consent to a search.
3. When you do carry, do so in such a way that it does not attract attention. Carrying a bag of "medical supplies" into a theater is not exactly normal behavior, and my theory is that this bag was some sort of assault style pack, camo or black, just judging from the rest of the content in the story.

Note: I would question the general competence, and perhaps intelligence, of any officer who believes he/she is capable of keeping the entire "community" safe, or who states that his job is "to carry a gun"

HuskerXDM:
I went to The Dark Knight here in Lincoln on Sunday night with my wife and was legally carrying concealed.  Walked right past the officer standing behind the ticket counter and didn't have any issues.  He was looking pretty bored and besides brief eye contact and a smile, didn't seem to spend much time looking me over.  I tent to wear oddball t-shirts that wouldn't attract attention other than someone laughing and what they say.   

This guy's experience will become an example of what not to do in my next CHP class.

Husker_Fan:
Stupid is as stupid does. I went to the Dark Knight Rises during last week. I never go to movies on opening night and never midnight showings. I don't care for the crowds. I carried as well.

I think a lot of people assume theaters are posted but, at least the ones I go to in Omaha, are not.

GunFun:
It's definitely a tragedy when a shooting like the one in Colorado happens, but what's almost as bad to me is that it really gets the anti-gun people all riled up.

Are they ever going to realize that criminals will *always* carry and use guns no matter what the law says? They are criminals because they don't obey laws!!!

I think every supporter of "gun control" legislation should be required to watch every episode of "gangland" until they get it through their thick heads that we need to arm ourselves to protect ourselves and our families from criminals, because they aren't giving up their weapons, ever.

These guys kill with shivs made out of plastic spoons in prison!!!

gsd:
I dont carry in theatres at all. And due to my medical experience, i know most places have a first aid kit that usually has a decent supply of gauze, bandages, and tape to at least stave off the more serious wounds.

But then again, most theatres in lincoln are posted, and I follow the law.

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