Wanted criminal found with gun in ''no-guns'' East Liverpool library

July 8, 2004
(Lisbon) Morning Journal

EAST LIVERPOOL — A man wanted for failure to appear warrants out of the county is now facing a charge of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit after being found with a loaded gun in the Carnegie Public Library.

According to Chief Mike McVay, the department received a tip that Nathan Criss, 28, 326 Blakeley St., was at the library and that there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Police learned there were two warrants for Criss for failure to appear for review and probation sentence on an original burglary conviction, sending McVay and Patrolman Brad Hoover looking for him.
Criss was located in the library computer lab and taken into custody, at which time McVay asked if he had any weapons. Criss said he did, and McVay initially found just a pocket knife.

A pat down search, however, produced a percussion cap double barrel black powder pistol, fully loaded, tucked into the front waistband of Criss’ pants, according to McVay.

“He said he didn’t think it was a weapon,” McVay reported, adding that Criss did not have a permit to carry a concealed weapon, which is now allowed by law in Ohio.

Patrolman Fred Flati, who serves as the department’s firearms instructor, examined the pearl-handled derringer on station and found it to be loaded with buckshot.
Criss was transported to the county jail awaiting arraignment Thursday morning in Municipal Court on the concealed weapons charge.

Commentary:
So a wanted criminal without a license to carry carries a loaded firearm into a public library. Surely he didn't see the "No Guns" signs on the door, or he'd have turned around, right?

Public libraries have been rendered victims zones by Ohio law - they must post these signs. But let the businesses who post them voluntarily take note: the only people who will respect those discriminatory signs are concealed handgun license-holders.

Criminals, by their very nature, could care less about these signs, let alone about obtaining twelve hours of training to obtain a license.

Related Story:
Two Akron banks robbed within hour - would "No knives" or "No bombs" signs or, for that matter, "No bank robberies" signs have made any difference?