Gunman Opens Fire During "The Dark Knight Rises"

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by SydneyK

I've not gone back through to read all the posts, but I don't remember anyone saying anything about "banning" guns altogether. It just seems that, as far as this incident is concerned, it would be short-sighted to assume that there would have been fewer casualties had someone in the theater fired.

You're welcome to disagree all you want with what I said earlier, but I still maintain that a dark, crowded, loud, tear gas filled, already chaotic theater is not the type of environment that would be bettered by the addition of extra weaponry.

ETA: I know people have commented that, on an everyday basis, there's no reason for civilians to carry guns, but "no reason" doesn't equate to "ban guns."

Fair enough, we all have our own opinions on the situation. See below about the banning guns.

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

I could be wrong, but I don't think he was referring to anyone here.

I wasn't referring to anyone here specifically even though it was implicated by sigmagirl2000.

Originally Posted by sigmagirl2000

I think everyone should be disarmed, not just the sane and good. There's no reason for ANYONE to be running around with firearms (outside of war)

Disarmament of the general populace= banning guns.

[excelblue]

Suppose everyone in the theater carried guns, but were inexperienced. You have the risk of crossfire hitting an innocent person. However, you also have the risk that the shooter may hit many more people if not subdued.

The question here is whether the involvement of inexperienced shooters will involve less deaths compared to being defenseless against a malicious shooter.

I'm personally of the belief that since those who really want guns will be able to obtain them regardless of the law (similar to how people under 21 can obtain alcohol), it's necessary to deal with that reality. We're in the worst scenario because it's relatively easy to obtain guns while most people still don't have one. Group protection only works if there's a culture where you can reasonably expect to be shot if you shoot someone else.

Now, for concealed carry, those who do it properly will appear no different than an unarmed person. If CCW becomes part of culture, then it's unclear who actually has a weapon, but the assumption that people will generally be defenseless against a gun no longer apply. The playing field is effectively equaled.

Essentially, it'll be as if pepper spray was replaced with guns.