A teenager in Jacksonville, Florida, has been arrested after he allegedly brought a gun into a movie theater.
The teenager was reportedly asked to leave the movie theater by the management after he could not show proof that he had purchased a ticket. When the teenager allegedly refused to leave, the police were called. Upon patting down the teenager, the police claim to have found a loaded firearm in the teenager's waistband. The teenager was charged with carrying a concealed firearm, resisting without violence, and trespass. The teenager also had a few active bench warrants, according to reports.
Carrying a concealed firearm is a third-degree felony, whereas resisting an officer without violence and trespass are both misdemeanors.
In the wake of the Aurora, Colorado, movie theater massacre, incidents where people bring concealed firearms into theaters will be treated as serious offenses. Florida law sets forth the restrictions on the carrying of concealed weapons for concealed weapon permit holders. There is no brightline prohibition in Florida against a permitted individual from carrying a concealed weapon into a movie theater. However, if you are not a concealed weapon permit holder, you cannot carry a weapon or firearm on your person in a concealed manner under any circumstances.
Eric Matheny is a criminal defense attorney representing clients charged with gun crimes in Miami-Dade and Broward.