YOUNGSTOWN Businessman appeals his gun conviction

Lawrence Reed's lawyer still insists that Reed legally carried the gun.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 60-year-old businessman avoided prison for carrying a loaded pistol but still is appealing his conviction.
Lawrence Reed of Hillman Street was found guilty in June of carrying a concealed weapon. Judge Robert Lisotto of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court sentenced him Tuesday to one year's probation. Reed, who owns a barbershop and a bar, could have been sentenced to as much as 18 months in prison.
Defense attorney Charles Curry said he's grateful that Reed was not locked up, though he still doesn't agree with the conviction. Reed waived his right to a jury trial and instead opted to have the case decided by Judge Lisotto.
His testimony
Reed testified during the one-day trial that he carried a gun for protection because he had been robbed at his barbershop and because would-be robbers had chased him when he carried nightly deposits to the bank from his bar.
Curry said Ohio law allows a "legitimate business owner" to carry a weapon if he or she is susceptible to attack in the course of business. That was Reed's defense during his trial and will be the basis for his appeal, Curry said.
Reed was not carrying business receipts at the time he was stopped by the Ohio State Highway Patrol during the early hours of Nov. 27, 2001. He testified that he had driven to a convenience store for gasoline and cigarettes and was on his way home when a trooper stopped him on Market Street. A loaded .38-caliber handgun was found in a bag on the front seat.
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.
bjackson@vindy.com