Police: Texting in movie theater sparks fatal shooting, retired officer arrested

[Peikko 1,575]

From what I read in the paper today, the perp was attacked with a bag of popcorn. And popcorn can kill you, right?

I guess it's going to rest on how convincing a case the defense can present that there was a real and viable threat although if all that needs to be proved is that he 'felt' that there was a real and viable threat to his safety then the case is as good as won. Perhaps that would be a good thing? Perhaps this would lead to revisiting this absurd and tragic law.

[slim 1,533]

So if he wasn't a retired cop, would that change anything?

Absolutely. He would've been a concealed handgun licensee with training and, most likely, an attitude reflective of a defensive posture instead of the typical assertive, "I'm in charge here how dare you question my authority" law enforcement attitude.

Sure, he could have hopped into the theater on one leg. He could have whistled while doing that. But all that's not relevant.

Sure it is. He is a retiree. Yes, he was a police officer until he retired 20 years ago but as of this incident, he was a retiree at the movies. A retiree with a concealed gun.

Funny how it's not relevant once it no longer fits your argument. It was relevant up till page three or so.

So, again, I'm asking about cops and training... all you "regular people shouldn't have guns" folks are now switching it up on us and saying cops shouldn't have guns?

That post doesn't really warrant a response but here it is: the fact that he was a retired police officer is not relevant. Any person permitted by law to carry a concealed firearm can legally carry such firearm into a movie theater in the state of Florida. Thus, the perp walked into this movie theater as a person that lawful carried a concealed firearm. It's insane to allow persons to carry firearms into the movies.

The federal law that grants special gun carrying privileges to police officers for life is garbage and should be repealed.

Now you're against cops having guns? Which is it?

What does it matter? The fact is that a guy legally had a gun in a movie theater and used it to kill someone because he was irritated by what they were doing. He was not performing any police duties, he was just a dude being a ####### with a gun. The fact that he was a retired policeman is irrelevant, he has no professional reason to have a gun in the movies and no authority to kill someone for texting during a movie performance.

Only cops have the authority to kill someone?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

He didn't carry in there because Florida allows citizens to be armed. He carried in there because he can walk into any theater in this entire country - even those with "NO GUNS" signs posted out front - unlike normal citizens.

You should reread the law. He can be barred from private property, by the owner, or from carrying his weapon on state or local property, if the state does not allow him otherwise to do so.

[slim 1,533]

You should reread the law. He can be barred from private property, by the owner, or from carrying his weapon on state or local property, if the state does not allow him otherwise to do so.

Can is the key word there. Do you think most cops stop and ask if it's okay?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Now you're against cops having guns?

Where did I say that? A retired person is not a cop.

[slim 1,533]

A retired person is not a cop.

According to the law, this guy can carry a gun just like a cop.

Edited January 16, 2014 by slim

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

According to the law, this guy can carry a gun just like a cop.

But that still doesn't make him a cop. He's still a retiree.

[GandD 5,966]

According to the law, this guy can carry a gun just like a cop.

Semantics. A guy with a legal gun shot a guy without a gun. The deceased was not threatening the armed guys life. But he's dead

Discuss.

[slim 1,533]

The semantics are a cop (who was not carrying a gun like a normal citizen but instead like a government agent) shot someone. Folks here on VJ would have us believe the average citizenry cannot control themselves with guns but cops can.

This case shows us that's not true.

[GandD 5,966]

The semantics are a cop (who was not carrying a gun like a normal citizen but instead like a government agent) shot someone. Folks here on VJ would have us believe the average citizenry cannot control themselves with guns but cops can.

This case shows us that's not true.

So, you're saying that because he was a cop he was more trigger happy?

[slim 1,533]

So, you're saying that because he was a cop he was more trigger happy?

Yes.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The semantics are a cop (who was not carrying a gun like a normal citizen but instead like a government agent) shot someone.

He was not in that movie theater as an agent of the government. That's just silly. He was there as a retired person in his own private capacity with no government mandate or obligation or contract or whatnot.

[Ban Hammer 13,599]

From what I read in the paper today, the perp was attacked with a bag of popcorn. And popcorn can kill you, right?

all that butter and sodium? you betcha!

[GandD 5,966]

Yes.

You don't think being on the other side of the law has encouraged this thought for you? I come from a police family. My old man never fired his gun unless at a range and only a couple times in the line of duty. Oh and a few times he shot an killed a mole with a 38. Seems a little overkill but it was quite fun to watch.

[Teddy B 17,252]

It's a good thing that a civilian with a concealed carry permit was in this movie theater to prevent anything bad from happening. Thank goodness for guns and ccw!

Edited January 16, 2014 by Teddy B