YOUNGSTOWN Judge to decide legality of pistol

A Hillman Street man said he wants protection because he was robbed once and chased several times.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Lawrence Reed said he carries a gun to protect himself because he has been robbed once and doesn't want it to happen again.
Prosecutors say the 60-year-old Hillman Street man had no legal right to be packing a pistol when he was pulled over for a traffic violation two years ago.
Reed waived his right to a jury trial Tuesday on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon and opted instead to have the case decided by Judge Robert Lisotto.
There were only two witnesses: Reed and the state trooper who pulled him over.
The judge took the matter under advisement.
If Reed is convicted, he could be sentenced to six to 18 months in prison, or placed on probation.
"The only issue is whether or not [Reed] was authorized to carry a gun," said Robert Andrews, assistant prosecutor.
Trooper testifies
Trooper Joel Hughes of the Ohio State Highway Patrol testified that he stopped Reed shortly before 2 a.m. Nov. 27, 2001, because Reed was weaving in and out of lanes on Market Street.
While Reed was outside the car for a field sobriety test, he told the trooper there was a .38-caliber handgun in a small purple bag on the front seat of his car.
Hughes said he retrieved the loaded gun, which resulted in the weapons charge.
Reed said he has operated a barbershop on West Woodland Avenue for 43 years and has owned Larry's Lounge on Hillman Street for 16 years. He lives in an apartment above the lounge.
Reed said he carried the gun for protection because he had been robbed once at the barbershop, about seven years ago.
He also had been chased several times by people he thought wanted to rob him after he left the bar at night with bank deposits.
He did not have business receipts in the car with him the morning he was pulled over.
Reed said the last time he was chased by would-be robbers was about three years ago.
Wants protection
He also said there have been several fights and a few shootings outside his bar, so he feels the need to protect himself.
"It wasn't like he was out waving the handgun around," said defense attorney Charles Curry. "He was merely carrying it around for his own safety, and for the safety and sanctity of his own house."
Andrews said the law allows a business owner to carry a weapon only if he or she is "particularly susceptible" to criminal attack in the course of their business.
He said Reed failed to prove he was at such a risk.