Scott Smith, Ohio dad, arrested after bringing bag of weapons into Crocker Park theater, cops say.
At face value, It is illegal in Ohio to have a gun at a theater. So I checked the Ohio Laws pertaining Concealed Carry and I could not find anything about not being permitted to carry in a theater.
I went on to read the article and way at the bottom you actually find out why he was arrested:
Smith was charged Monday with four counts of carrying various weapons for each of the knives, one count of carrying a concealed weapon with no permit for the glock and one count of carrying a weapon while having a disability.
OK, now that makes more sense. But of course telling the truth and saying that Smith was arrested for violating Ohio’s Gun Laws does not sizzle enough.But if the good editorial department add exaggeration with a pinch of remembering fear, we have ourselves a bonafide News item!
“But Miguel! After what happened in Aurora you must understand how sensitive people are at the fact that somebody can carry a gun in a theater!” says Mr. Whinny Persons. Sorry, if my carrying a weapon makes you uneasy, deal with it. I am very allergic to spilled blood, specially mine.
Then again, I am carrying concealed: Out of sight, out of your little mind.
“Carrying a weapon while having a disability” is actually a crime?
A legal disability, not a physical one. In this case his being on his prescription pain medication is probably what precludes him from possessing firearms.
That seems like the worst phrasing ever, but I guess it makes a little bit of sense.
However, I thought that when something was actually prescribed it was not a prohibition.
The article says the police detective specified that Smith had no criminal record, but specifically pointed out he was on pain pills. That is the only thing mentioned that could make him a prohibited person.
A prescription has no bearing on one being a prohibited person or not, only:
ORC 2923.13 (A)(4)
The person is drug dependent, in danger of drug dependence, or a chronic alcoholic.
I don’t know why it isn’t listed in the charges, but according to the Ohioans For Concealed Carry database, that theater is a posted Gun Free Zone.
And in OH, carrying a gun in a business that is posted is a felony. Which I dislike.
That is incorrect.
ORC 2923.126 (C)(3)(a)
Except as provided in division (C)(3)(b) of this section, the owner or person in control of private land or premises, and a private person or entity leasing land or premises owned by the state, the United States, or a political subdivision of the state or the United States, may post a sign in a conspicuous location on that land or on those premises prohibiting persons from carrying firearms or concealed firearms on or onto that land or those premises. Except as otherwise provided in this division, a person who knowingly violates a posted prohibition of that nature is guilty of criminal trespass in violation of division (A)(4) of section 2911.21 of the Revised Code and is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If a person knowingly violates a posted prohibition of that nature and the posted land or premises primarily was a parking lot or other parking facility, the person is not guilty of criminal trespass in violation of division (A)(4) of section 2911.21 of the Revised Code and instead is subject only to a civil cause of action for trespass based on the violation.
The regal theater does have a “No Guns” policy
And the signs worked just as well as they always do.
“GUN FREE ZONE”? All the more reason to carry!