General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCould "The Force Awakens" be a target for a mass shooting?
This is arguably the most high-profile movie release of all time, and I can totally picture some James Holmes copycat walking into a theater dressed like Darth Vader and opening fire. And that's not even taking into account the current situation with ISIS. I'm thinking that if theaters across the country don't have extra security for this movie's opening night, they damn well ought to. Too many terrorists, domestic or otherwise, that could see this as an opportunity.
Action_Patrol
(845 posts)I can't let assholes and fear rule my life. I'll head to the movies and relax.
Everything is a potential attack zone if you let yourself devolve into that way of thinking.
Logical
(22,457 posts)zigby
(125 posts)Adjust paranoia levels and live life accordingly.
ManiacJoe
(10,136 posts)This movie is not any more likely than any other.
Chan790
(20,176 posts)You can pretty much assume anywhere in America that it will be a packed house for any showing in the first week. That makes it an ideal target or more precisely multi-target venue. (Why target one when you can have 10 people walk into 10 theaters in 10 cities within a few hours and open fire and basically bring the entirety of US commerce to a halt this close to Christmas.)
They'd have to be idiots to NOT target theatres during the debut of The Force Awakens.
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)Paranoia should include every possible gathering place.
Chan790
(20,176 posts)It's a lot easier to shoot up a theater from the front, kill a lot more people and escape to do it again. It only takes one or two gunmen to pull off. A proper mall assault takes a crew of people and is a suicide mission.
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)Paladin
(28,272 posts)xmas74
(29,676 posts)cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)xmas74
(29,676 posts)but shouldn't we be lumping more and more of the mass shootings as acts of terrorism instead of the works of a "mentally unstable" white man with guns?
I just get so tired of seeing angry white men with guns committing atrocities and being called "mentally unstable" instead of what they really are-terrorists.
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)addressed.
I agree with you otherwise though.
Codeine
(25,586 posts)I have opening night tickets. My wife, kids and I are going to enjoy our evening. My 7-year-old boy is going to discover that movies can change his life.
I'm more afraid that I'm going to have embarrassing 45-year-old-man tears when the theme music starts than I am of terrorists.
Waldorf
(654 posts)Awesome experience.
Codeine
(25,586 posts)We didn't have a tv so I knew nothing about the film at all. My uncle took me and told me nothing in advance; going in cold made it even more mind-blowing.
Autumn Colors
(2,379 posts)... and I guarantee that this 54-year-old woman will have tears streaming down her face as soon as the words "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away" appear onscreen.
I'm not afraid, but I've hoped this movie would one day happen for so long that I'd be pissed as hell if I were to die before getting to see that movie!!!
951-Riverside
(7,234 posts)Last edited Tue Dec 15, 2015, 01:45 AM - Edit history (1)
There was a run on guns during Black Friday and after the San Bernardino mass shooting
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/12/01/black-friday-breaks-record-185k-gun-background-checks/76624604/
As more firearms are distributed to people who ordinarily wouldn't own one and quite frankly probably shouldn't have one, its going to get a point where we're going to have so many mass shootings and random firearm attacks that people are going to be scared to visit the US, people are going to be afraid to go to large events, afraid to visit malls, afraid to take their children to school, afraid to walk down the street, afraid to bike, afraid to travel on buses, afraid to go out at night, afraid to travel on the roadway, afraid to protest, afraid to deliver mail, and other goods and afraid to patrol the streets.
When that happens, the economy is going to shut down, The National Guard is going to be deployed to certain areas and the American people are going to have to have to make some hard choices about what it means to "keep and bear arms" and if its really worth it.
The sad reality is not everyone who buys a firearm is going to lock it away, you're going to get people who are going to want to use them and they're not going to the shooting range. You're also going to get unstable people who are going to try to "one up" each other.
By the way, you can't push for stricter background checks on psychos who already have guns.
ErikJ
(6,335 posts)Nothing can live up to the expectations and build up especially when it has to compete with the most popular movie in history. The 3 originals. The SW junkies will have a big letdown. And maybe start shooting.
It's on target to be the biggest movie of all time.
Calista241
(5,586 posts)Of all time.
Action_Patrol
(845 posts)nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)dying in an accident on the way to the theater, getting struck by lighting twice, or getting mauled by a grizzly, In fact, you also have better odds of winning the lottery.
By the way, people who are PAID to consider this, likely are. Huge big clue of the day, that is not the movie theaters.
Snobblevitch
(1,958 posts)I'll see it when I see it.
Get a life, people.
951-Riverside
(7,234 posts)Are we reading the same OP?
olddots
(10,237 posts)people demanding their money back .
Taitertots
(7,745 posts)BlueCheese
(2,522 posts)Everything is a potential target for a mass shooting. Schools, colleges, offices, movie theaters, shopping malls, holiday parties, Planned Parenthood clinics-- you name it, we've had a mass shooting there.
GaYellowDawg
(4,449 posts)I'm going to see that movie as soon as I can, and fuck every crazy assed white boy with a gun and a virginity problem that's out there.
ibegurpard
(16,685 posts)Am I going to hide under my bed in fear? Nope I'll be going to see it opening weekend. Fuck them.
Matariki
(18,775 posts)SammyWinstonJack
(44,130 posts)steve2470
(37,457 posts)JI7
(89,264 posts)well, maybe the NRA convention where they don't allow guns is safe
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)you won't see me there because I don't want to put up with the crowds, much less pay the ridiculous prices for everything.
I'll wait until it comes out on DVD.
LeftyMom
(49,212 posts)If you're afraid to go outside ask your doctor for some Xanax. You're more likely to die in a car accident on the way there.
brettdale
(12,384 posts)More likely to die by a coconut falling from a tree
More likely to meet tom brady in a shopping mall.
More likely to hear Garth Brooks sing the third verse.
You get the picture.
The reason I think that thankfully the star wars movies wont be hit is
because, why havent they hit an nba game or an nfl game??
The threat is not that great.
Terrorists attacks are actually so so rare.
Its nothing to be concerned about.
LeftyMom
(49,212 posts)It's almost like there aren't many people inclined to do such things! :O
Orrex
(63,224 posts)Only way to be safe.
Codeine
(25,586 posts)This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster. An elegant weapon... for a more civilized age.
Orrex
(63,224 posts)And I thank you for the marvelous set-up!
mythology
(9,527 posts)They couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.
Orrex
(63,224 posts)Damn him and his downsizing.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)This happened at my local movie theater 5 years ago:
Man Complains About Cellphone Talker At Movie Theater, Gets Stabbed In Neck With Meat Thermometer
http://consumerist.com/2010/03/10/man-complains-about-cellphone-talker-at-movie-theater-gets-stabbed-in-neck-with-meat-thermometer/
Orrex
(63,224 posts)cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)Orrex
(63,224 posts)cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)Orrex
(63,224 posts)Glassunion
(10,201 posts)Orrex
(63,224 posts)Chiyo-chichi
(3,586 posts)Renew Deal
(81,871 posts)LuvLoogie
(7,027 posts)You couldn't take a nice walk and go get a cup of coffee or something?
Orsino
(37,428 posts)...to want to fire on a crowd in a public place, and if there were there's no way they would expect larger than usual crowds this weekend.
In other words, yes, I am afraid it could happen. Statistically, though our odds of surviving are excellent, and I hope you're wrong.
Theaters just don't seem to be in vogue much these days as targets.
LynneSin
(95,337 posts)In the past 4 months I have visited NYC 3 times. And when people ask about 'How was your weekend', if I was in NYC I say 'Well I was in NYC'.
Usually I get at least one person with the 'How can you go to NYC, aren't you worried about the Terrorists'. One time was was when I went to the Jeff Lynne ELO concert was right after the Terrorists attacked that concert in Paris. This person was shocked I would even consider going to a concert in a large city like NYC because she was sure the Terrorists were plotting to attack another high profile venue.
I just shrug my shoulders and laugh. My mentality is this - if I stop doing anything I think is 'high risk for terrorist attacks and/or mass shootings' then I will spend the rest of my life sit at home living in fear.
And I spent the last decade sitting at home doing nothing, because of issues I was not aware of with my thyroid I spent that time eating like crazy and gaining weight. So you know, the 'sit at home and binge watch TV because I'm afraid' life - well that's just going to kill me anyways because I'll probably gain back that 110lbs and die of a heart attack or gout or something unhealthy related.
So you know, I'll enjoy Star Wars and just not worry about who might come in with guns ablazing! And I live in Wilmington Delaware, which is considered a 'dangerous' city.
I could live my life in fear and my life would suck. Or I could just live my life and enjoy amazing experience and realize that something sucky could happen but if it does well at least I was living my life to the fullest!
Iggo
(47,565 posts)Don't live in fear.
ileus
(15,396 posts)LannyDeVaney
(1,033 posts)Shorter lines for me.
I have a prediction for you - more people will die from health issues from movie popcorn butter than die of a theater mass shooting.
Give me Goobers or give me death.
Initech
(100,102 posts)We've had enough of this shit. It's time to stop this madness.
JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,364 posts)Initech
(100,102 posts)ChisolmTrailDem
(9,463 posts)...for the drive-by post, though.
MosheFeingold
(3,051 posts)In fact, I would be surprised if it doesn't happen.
ScreamingMeemie
(68,918 posts)brooklynite
(94,727 posts)Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)that we even have to consider this.
Fuck the 2nd amendment and all the nuts who misinterpret it to mean "everyone gets assault weapons."
Oneironaut
(5,524 posts)steve2470
(37,457 posts)I'll do my best to suppress the thought of this possibility.