Kids find loaded gun at theater

Oceanside man is arrested

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An Oceanside man was arrested last week after Long Beach police said he left a loaded handgun inside the Long Beach Cinema 4 while he was at a movie with his grandchildren.

According to Police Commissioner Michael Tangney, two young girls found the pistol inside the theater at around noon on Oct. 4, shortly after the man dropped the gun and decided to leave it there.

John Abatz, 66, of Oceanside, was carrying the licensed weapon while taking his grandchildren to the theater, at Park Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard, for a matinee showing of “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” police said. At some point, Abatz lost the gun when he entered the theater, Tangney said.

“The gun fell out of the ankle holster, and rather than pick it up and make it safe, he left it there so he wouldn’t alarm his grandchildren,” Tangney said. “He said he knew he lost the gun, and he didn’t want to disturb his grandkids.”

The gun was a Beretta 21A .22-caliber pistol, and was loaded, Tangney said. The 9-year-old girls saw the gun in the aisle and told a woman in the movie theater, who retrieved the weapon and called police at about 12:30 p.m.

Officers responded to the theater and traced the serial number to Abatz, Tangney said. The officers made an announcement in the theater and called on Abatz to come to the lobby, where he was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment. He was arraigned at Long Beach City Court and pleaded not guilty. He is due back in court next month. Abatz could not be reached for comment.

“Mr. Abatz, from my understanding, has never been arrested before and lives a law-abiding life,” his attorney, Robert Zuflacht, told the Herald.

Tangney said that Abatz was in violation of his target and hunting license, which limits where an individual can carry a weapon. According to the Nassau County Police Department’s pistol license handbook, a license holder can only possess the firearm in his or her home, while participating in lawful target shooting and hunting, or while transporting the weapon to and from a licensed firearms dealer, target shooting location or hunting area.

“Licensees are authorized to stop only for fuel, nonalcoholic refreshments and/or a meal on the way to and from their lawful target shooting location or hunting area,” the handbook states. “In the event a licensee does break for fuel, a refreshment or a meal, he or she is responsible for the concealment and safeguarding of the firearm.”

Tangney said that Abatz’s license could be suspended or revoked by Nassau County police.

“I don’t know what excuse he could possibly give for just walking away and leaving the gun,” Tangney said.

People expressed shock when they heard about the incident. The theater — which reopened last year after it was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy — is a popular spot for parents and their children.

“As a resident and parent, it’s quite disturbing to find out that there was an unsecured and loaded handgun in a movie theater,” said Sam Pinto, president of the Eastholme Civic Association, who often goes to the theater with his wife and two young children. “I’m glad that the children were responsible enough not to play with it and notify authorities. We’re happy no one got hurt, but it makes you want to pay more attention to your surroundings.”