12 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' screening in Aurora, Colorado

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

I was reading this thread early this morning while it was still locked. Someone asked why he didn't go in for an intake at his school and I was thinking about that question. While there are resources at the University level for counseling individuals who are dealing with issues there is also a stigma for seeking help. Individuals may not seek this kind of help because they don't want to run into classmates or professors on the way there. Seeking help for these issues can be perceived as weak. Also sometimes the individuals doesn't want help or think there is a problem.

There were also comments I found intriguing on the guys mental status and how to declare that. I know there is somewhat a difference between criminally insane and just plan having mental issues. How did they decide he had mental issues beyond blowing away 70 random strangers in a crowded movie theater? When the officers found him his hair was painted red and he told them, "I am the joker. The nemesis of batman." So the officers perceived him as "bat chit crazy". In their statements to the press they were quoted as saying he was a "deranged individual".

I read this morning that his Mother was quoted as saying she suspected it was him when she first heard of the rampage. Again this would indicate there were mental health issues with this individual that were warnings and ignored or not heeded or not dealt with properly.

It seems in nearly every one of these mass gun violence incidents the issue is the stigma of mental illness in our society and how it is treated. This really needs to be questioned and brought to light because it could be a key to prevention.

Bringing the point back to my first post.

Edited July 21, 2012 by Dr. A ♥ O

[GandK 168]

As to the 'real' issues - for this shooter, at the theatre in Aurora - here's the Real Issue: No one around him was carrying a pistol. He walked out alive instead of being shot after the first 4 seconds of shooting.

Hmm..so if there was someone in the theatre who also carried a pistol. Suppose he took out his gun and shot the Killer.

Imagine another guy who also had a gun who didn't see who started shooting first saw the guy with a gun who just shot the first guy. So he began shooting at the second guy.

And then the third guy, and fourth guy, and more people joined the shooting in panic.

Last time I checked it is dark in a theatre, no?

Then it turned out a lot of people in the theatre had guns, everyone drew out their guns in panic wanting to "protect themselves".

So that is the American mentality, huh? Living in fear? Armed to the teeth?

Now I see why there is so much wrong with the country. Next time they should hand out a handgun to everyone who buys popcorn in a theatre.

Edited July 21, 2012 by GandK

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Hmm..so if there was someone in the theatre who also carried a pistol. Suppose he took out his gun and shot the Killer.

Imagine another guy who also had a gun who didn't see who started shooting first saw the guy with a gun who just shot the first guy. So he began shooting at the second guy.

And then the third guy, and fourth guy, and more people joined the shooting in panic.

Last time I checked it is dark in a theatre, no?

Then it turned out a lot of people in the theatre had guns, everyone drew out their guns in panic wanting to "protect themselves".

So that is the American mentality, huh? Living in fear? Armed to the teeth?

Now I see why there is so much wrong with the country. Next time they should hand out a handgun to everyone who buys popcorn in a theatre.

Spot on. I brought up a similar scenario of being in a crowded restaurant and a shooter decides to randomly open fire. Unless you are a loner who avoid being in crowds all the time, packing a gun for personal protection makes little sense. It might give you a false sense of security or artificial courage, but nothing more.

ETA: Actually, if one is that concerned about personal protection but didn't want to avoid crowds, they should wear a bullet proof vest.

Edited July 22, 2012 by Mister Fancypants

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Yeah, that's what that situation needed. It was dark, loud, and smoke bombs had gone off ... what they needed was MORE people with guns!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

As to the 'real' issues - for this shooter, at the theatre in Aurora - here's the Real Issue: No one around him was carrying a pistol. He walked out alive instead of being shot after the first 4 seconds of shooting.

He was wearing a ballistic helmet, a bullet proof vest and leggings. He obviously anticipated he'd be shot at and was well prepared.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

I would rather have a fighting chance and die with a gun in my hand than die like a rat in a cage with no chance of self defense.

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

I would rather have a fighting chance and die with a gun in my hand than die like a rat in a cage with no chance of self defense.

pretty much my thoughts too.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Considering how many people there were in that theater running around in chaos attempting to get out ... I'd think someone else with a gun would have a far greater chance at hitting one of them than hitting the armored gunman.

[slim 1,525]

Yeah, that's what that situation needed. It was dark, loud, and smoke bombs had gone off ... what they needed was MORE people with guns!

So, let me get this straight. Someone starts shooting and your plan is just wait until they're done?

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Screw guns. I see the revival of the drive-in theater where movie-goers can bring their own tanks.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Screw guns. I see the revival of the drive-in theater where movie-goers can bring their own tanks.

Nitrous Oxide? Now, that does take me bad to my youth.

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

Screw guns. I see the revival of the drive-in theater where movie-goers can bring their own tanks.

at the least, one can start up and drive off - or drive over the shooter.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I would rather have a fighting chance and die with a gun in my hand than die like a rat in a cage with no chance of self defense.

In this real-life scenario, your best chance of survival had you been in that theater was to be wearing a bullet proof vest and perhaps a ballistics helmet, but the guy sitting behind you would have told you to take it off because you're blocking his view. Trying to shoot back at the shooter in a crowded theater that is in total chaos, when you can't even see with all the smoke and tear gas would have contributed to the fatalities. You would have been implicated as an accomplice.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Colorado allows concealed carry, so there may well have been some in the crowd with guns. According the the VJ pro-gun crowd this incident should never have happened.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Just curious how many here are CPR or BLS certified?