Smith Lawyer: Gun, Knives Were For Self-Defense

Scott A. Smith, arrested over the weekend for bringing a loaded gun, ammunition and four knives into for a late-night showing of The Dark Knight Rises, was carrying the weapons for self-defense, his lawyer said Wednesday.

After the and other incidents, Smith "felt fear" going to the movie by himself, attorney Matthew Bruce said. 

"He brought (the weapons) in with him purely for self-defense," Bruce said. "He had no intent to harm, scare or threaten anyone."

Smith was arrested after off-duty officer Jeremiah Bullins, who was working security for Regal Cinema that night, approached Smith, who was sitting in the back row of the still-empty theater, and searched his bag.

Bullins discovered a loaded 9MM Glock semiautomatic handgun, two fully loaded magazines and three knives in a zippered compartment. A fourth knife was found on Smith.

Westlake Police Captain Guy Turner said Wednesday that Smith did not have a permit for concealed carry. Regal Cinema policy prohibits weapons in theaters, the company said in a statement to Westlake Patch.

A bond hearing for Smith is set in Cuyahoga County court at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday.

Bruce said he is hopeful that the bond will be "reasonable" for Smith to be released that day.

"He's holding up fine," Bruce said of Smith. "He's cooperating with police."

What happens after the bond hearing, Bruce said, depends on what the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office does in terms of formal charges.

"I don't know what path this will take without any charges yet," he said. "It's too early to speculate without seeing the evidence."

Here's the latest from the incident: