Let the "If more people in the theater were armed" discussion begin

rapgood · Jul 23, 2012

jolly__roger said:
I agree with the vast majority of what you said and too am glad the Governor is standing up for our rights. I did want to share that I think we need to be careful not to fall into the governments "terrorism" propaganda because they are systematically trying to change the public's perception of what terrorism is. We do not fully know the motives behind the shooting and we may never fully know why but without absolute proof that it was an act of terrorism, we need to be very careful about using that term so we're not spreading their propaganda.

Point well made. I agree. Here, the use of the term "terrorist" was by Gov. Hickenlooper. I interpreted it to be "terrorist" (with a lower-case "t") as opposed to the current-trendy-and-oh-so-convenient use with a capital "T"

RayeHawk · Jul 23, 2012

Juice said:
Hi all,

Long time lurker, I don't post much.

During a showing of Batman yesterday in my local town, more people in the theater were armed. Two of us out of our group were open carrying to a lot of approving looks from other patrons. The person at the ticket counter said he was glad we were there and that we had his permission to take down anyone who tried to shoot up their theater. I don't carry all that often, but it was a good day for a "show of force".

+1 <3!

Which chain?

unknownsailor · Jul 23, 2012

Juice said:
Hi all,

Long time lurker, I don't post much.

During a showing of Batman yesterday in my local town, more people in the theater were armed. Two of us out of our group were open carrying to a lot of approving looks from other patrons. The person at the ticket counter said he was glad we were there and that we had his permission to take down anyone who tried to shoot up their theater. I don't carry all that often, but it was a good day for a "show of force".

If you could relay the theater, I would appreciate it. Most in my area are part of a major chain, and but for one that I know of, they are all posted victim disarmament zones, even though that has no legal meaning in my state (Wa. St.) other than they can trespass me if they find out.

Vitaeus · Jul 23, 2012

you get trespassed if you refuse to leave upon request and the police are present for the request and the refusal.

PFC HALE · Jul 24, 2012

since this is the thread i was looking for here is what i will add.

I have a good friend who was in the marines, 2nd MEU and while on patrol in the waters somewhere i dont remember (supporting coast guard i think) catching drug runners. Well he was on the bow of the craft manning the .50cal and someone managed to get a shot off from a .45cal rifle or pistol, from the suspect boat. Well that one single round hit him in his body armor and knocked him off the .50cal mount, fractured a couple ribs and did some internal bruising from the bullet impact. My friend is 6' 2" and around 280 built.

he was in the hospital a couple weeks recovering from one single shot, just ONE.

I find it hard to believe that poeple are saying no one could do anything to even slow down this kid who was armored up weighing in at probably 150-180lb when i know for a fact that you throw enough rounds at anything it will eventually fall down and become injured.

continuous counter fire from a .45 or 9mm as long as you could would have done something to this kid and possibly may have made him retreat.

so IMO someone there sending lead back to this kid would have had an effect, we all know this.

amlevin · Jul 24, 2012

rapgood said:
Gov. Hickenlooper responded, saying that shooting suspect James Holmes would have found a way to create "horror" even if he hadn't been able to acquire guns. "This wasn't a Colorado problem. This is a human problem," Mr. Hickenlooper said. "Even if he didn't have access to guns, this guy was diabolical...he would have found explosives or gas. He would have found something...he would have done something to create this horror."

On the surface this sounds like an intelligent Politician.

Just remember, the OK City bomber didn't need a gun to kill 168 and injure 680.

In 2003 an old guy drove his car into a crowd in Santa Monica. Killed 10 and injured 63. No gun(s) involved yet the casualty count was almost exactly the same.

Even Michael Moore admitted that the largest mass murder in this country was facilitated by a "tool" that was never designed to kill anything, a box cutter. The "weapon of choice" for the 9/11 hijackers. Not a single gun involved.

amlevin · Jul 24, 2012

PFC HALE said:
I find it hard to believe that poeple are saying no one could do anything to even slow down this kid who was armored up weighing in at probably 150-180lb when i know for a fact that you throw enough rounds at anything it will eventually fall down and become injured.

continuous counter fire from a .45 or 9mm as long as you could would have done something to this kid and possibly may have made him retreat.

so IMO someone there sending lead back to this kid would have had an effect, we all know this.

This may well be true. Fact is that in events like this most sit there saying "WTF" long enough for the body count to start stacking up. The normal reaction for most, if not all people is to first look around. Once they figure out what's happening they duck and hide behind something or stand up and run. From survivor accounts the shooter exploited the fact that people were running for exits and shot into their lanes of egress.

I find it interesting how many here, that I KNOW have had no combat training or experience, are just so sure how they'd handle a situation like this.

OC for ME · Jul 24, 2012

Pop pop.....stop & drop, assess, react. Works in combat and I imagine that it could work in a theater. You gotta want to not get shot first and foremost before you can go to the next step. React is the hardest part, even for some combat vets. especially considering you are in your home town watching a movie.

But that is just me.

Those poor souls likely just went straight to the stop & drop part, or went straight to the react (GTFO) part. Some assessed and tried to 'save' loved ones and even strangers.

Tough call no matter what you think you can or will do. Sounds like there were some very brave souls that night.

PFC HALE · Jul 24, 2012

amlevin said:
This may well be true. Fact is that in events like this most sit there saying "WTF" long enough for the body count to start stacking up. The normal reaction for most, if not all people is to first look around. Once they figure out what's happening they duck and hide behind something or stand up and run. From survivor accounts the shooter exploited the fact that people were running for exits and shot into their lanes of egress.

I find it interesting how many here, that I KNOW have had no combat training or experience, are just so sure how they'd handle a situation like this.

well you dont know me and what i know im capable of. lets leave assumptions out please

jolly__roger · Jul 24, 2012

amlevin said:
This may well be true. Fact is that in events like this most sit there saying "WTF" long enough for the body count to start stacking up. The normal reaction for most, if not all people is to first look around. Once they figure out what's happening they duck and hide behind something or stand up and run. From survivor accounts the shooter exploited the fact that people were running for exits and shot into their lanes of egress.

I find it interesting how many here, that I KNOW have had no combat training or experience, are just so sure how they'd handle a situation like this.

sudden valley gunner · Jul 24, 2012

It's pretty silly to say you might not have changed nothing so don't act. That just makes sure you won't change the odds of what happens. Complacent....sheeple.

gogodawgs · Jul 24, 2012

If I were in that theater on that night and armed. Sitting towards the back (where I normally would of been sitting) and what took place took place...
I would of come out firing and if need be would of traded my life for many of the innocents. I say this with great thought and a heavy heart for the victims of this evil act.

Jeff Hayes · Jul 24, 2012

gogodawgs said:
If I were in that theater on that night and armed. Sitting towards the back (where I normally would of been sitting) and what took place took place...
I would of come out firing and if need be would of traded my life for many of the innocents. I say this with great thought and a heavy heart for the victims of this evil act.

+1,

People will react and act up to the level of their training and mind set. Tons of training will most likely result in you coming out shooting. A strong defensive mind set will result in you coming out shooting. Having been in the shXX multiple times will result in a different reaction than someone that has not been there. In other words everyone will react differently but it will mostly depend on your mind set, experience and training.

If you have been there you pretty know what you will do.

If you do not know the person you are talking about very very well you are just blowing smoke expressing your opinion on what they will do or will not do.

PFC HALE · Jul 25, 2012

gogodawgs said:
If I were in that theater on that night and armed. Sitting towards the back (where I normally would of been sitting) and what took place took place...
I would of come out firing and if need be would of traded my life for many of the innocents. I say this with great thought and a heavy heart for the victims of this evil act.

my stance on it too. many of us are trained/experienced and ready to defend our life or the lives of others and sacrificing ours if needed to save as many as we can. there are those out there that dont have the intestinal fortitude to do whats needed but that doesnt make them a bad person nor weak.

sudden valley gunner · Jul 25, 2012

PFC HALE said:
my stance on it too. many of us are trained/experienced and ready to defend our life or the lives of others and sacrificing ours if needed to save as many as we can. there are those out there that dont have the intestinal fortitude to do whats needed but that doesnt make them a bad person nor weak.

Often makes them brainwashed though. The constant barrage of let the "professionals" handle it, don't get involved, you will cause more harm than good, etc.

The people I call complacent sheeple are the ones who promote and encourage others not to get involved.

Some of us are just built not to stand by or to cower.

I have been in dangerous scenarios and have discovered being proactive works way better then letting fate control you.

This elderly gent was no sheeple.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epZod2qyyN4

Stretch · Jul 25, 2012

Let's not forget that 4 trained LEO
were killed rather brutally and quickly by a nut case in Lakewood.

Being prepared is great, but not always will we have time to react, or react properly.

Sent by Droid

ZachRU · Jul 25, 2012

The fact that he gave up for the police so easily makes me think that even return fire from a small caliber would have deterred him enough to save multiple lives. Probably even if no rounds landed. I guess all we'll ever know is that some resistance would have been better than none.

This definitely gives me more reason to make this five seven purchase I've been wanting for a while though. With lunatics running around in body armor it could come in handy.

jbone · Jul 25, 2012

Let the "If more people in the theater were armed" discussion begin

The arming has begun anyway.

Hopefuly some of this 41% increase of a same time frame from last year in CO will from place more firearms in the pockets, purses, and on the hips of movie goers for a chance at self pretection.

http://www.examiner.com/article/gun-sales-spike-41-percent-after-colorado-shooting

golddigger14s · Jul 25, 2012

Good article:
http://americanpreppersnetwork.com/...ign=Constant+Contact+5-29-12&utm_medium=email

jbone · Jul 25, 2012

golddigger14s said:
Good article:
http://americanpreppersnetwork.com/...ign=Constant+Contact+5-29-12&utm_medium=email

The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to allow the subject races to possess arms. History shows that all conquerors who have allowed their subject races to carry arms have prepared their own downfall by so doing. ~Adolph Hitler~

This sure minds me of the current WH tone.

Let the "If more people in the theater were armed" discussion begin

Regular Member

Regular Member

Regular Member

Regular Member

Regular Member

Regular Member

Regular Member

Regular Member

Regular Member

Regular Member

Regular Member

Campaign Veteran

Regular Member

Regular Member

Regular Member

Regular Member

Regular Member

Regular Member

Activist Member

Regular Member