Ohio Man Arrested For Entering Dark Knight Screening With Bag Of Weapons

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Aug 8, 2012 8:40PM

Mugshot of Scott Smith, 37, of North Ridgeville, Ohio.

An Ohio man walked into a movie theater carrying a bag containing a gun, ammunition and several knives. A theater manager and an off-duty police officer spotted him and thought it was suspicious, so they asked to search his bag.

Scott A. Smith, 37, entered the Regal Cinema theater in Westlake near Cleveland by himself half an hour before The Dark Knight Rises. When asked about the weapons, Smith said "No problem. I'll put them in my car." Reuters writes:

The officer approached Smith, who had taken what police are calling a "tactical position" in the middle of the back row, 30 minutes before the movie began.

The loaded Glock and two extra fully loaded magazines were found in the bag, along with four knives in various zippered compartments.

An attorney said Smith had the weapons "for his protection and the protection of innocent people." A search of the man's home revealed seven pistols, 12 shotguns, other rifles, thousands of rounds of ammunition and "survivalists gear" such as gas masks and bulletprooof vests.

Smith has no criminal record, but he also has no concealed carry license. He will face at least one count of illegally carrying a concealed weapon.