STEUBENVILLE - A Steubenville man has organized a litter cleanup Saturday in the LaBelle neighborhood that will see participants openly carrying handguns.
Wayne Johnson said he organized the noon event on Belleview Boulevard "to raise awareness of Ohio law on the issue. We decided it will be helpful to make people aware of the legal right to openly carry a gun while doing a community service project."
"After this event there won't be any blood in the streets (and) there won't be any trash either. Our goal is to raise awareness of the right of Ohioans to openly carry firearms. This will be a peaceful community service event, not a protest or parade," said Johnson.
"It looks like 10 to 12 people will be coming to the event. We plan to start in the Belleview Boulevard and Pennsylvania Avenue area. We will pick up litter for an hour or two," added Johnson.
According to an Internet discussion forum titled Ohioans for Concealed Carry, trash bags and gloves will be provided and hamburgers and hot dogs will available.
Participants in the Internet forum also discussed a possible excursion to the Fernwood State Park shooting range after the litter cleanup.
Johnson said the idea for the open carrying gun and trash cleanup event started "when I was verbally harassed a little by the Steubenville Police."
"I was stopped by the police once and then a second time while walking in my neighborhood with my wearing my handgun on my belt. I was with my wife and children for our regular walk around the block. The officers said they were receiving telephone calls from local residents about a man with a gun. The second officer said I could be arrested on disorderly conduct charges," related Johnson.
The City Police report for May 21 said responding officers talked to Johnson and his wife, who carried valid concealed weapon permits, and Johnson's wife had a handgun concealed on her person.
"We requested Mr. Johnson carry his weapon in a concealed manner to prevent further public panic. I also explained that although he was within his legal right to carry the firearm that the potential existed for an unneeded confrontation due to the area he was in," noted the police report.
Police Chief William McCafferty said the police department "has no intention of denying anyone of their civil or constitutional rights."
"People in our city are not accustomed to seeing people walk around wearing a handgun on their belts.
"So I am glad this event is being publicized so residents in that area of LaBelle will be aware of what is going to happen on Saturday," said McCafferty.
"This group who will be picking up litter and trash will be within their legal rights to openly carry a gun," added McCafferty.
(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)
