[2BNTV]

This is not only a gun conriol issue, but the mental health of those in possession of a firearm, and other weapons.

I worked with a guy who was an auxillary police officer and it was scary, this person had a gun to use. Very argumentive, to the point of not trusting him, to do the right thing.

My personal opinion is, that he shouldn't have been that upset, as the movie hadn't started yet. If it was during the viewing of the movie, I could see one being annoyed, if another person was being disruptive. An over reaction, by the P.O., to what was happening. IMHO

When, will all this madness, end????

[nitehawk]

Originally Posted by nitehawk

Lesson learned --- do not text in movie theater

Originally Posted by LndLocked

A husband and father of a young girl DIED .... your attempt at humor is decidedly not funny

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

I agree.

"SLOW DOWN" nobody except the people on totv have found this ex-officer guilty of anything -- wow -- does anyone know the real story NO - i thought this was america and innocence until PROVEN guilty---- And i stand by my statement THANK YOU

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by nitehawk

"SLOW DOWN" nobody except the people on totv have found this ex-officer guilty of anything -- wow -- does anyone know the real story NO - i thought this was america and innocence until PROVEN guilty---- And i stand by my statement THANK YOU

In my opinion and in the opinions I would guess of almost 100% of people hearing about this and the opinion of the court who has already said no bail this is obviously someone who did something VERY wrong. I don't think anyone can think of any "real story" that could justify someone shooting someone they did not know in a darkened movie theatre.


The responses to the posts quoted was that an attempt at humor triggered justifiable anger in the face of this very horrible (alleged) incident.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Bonnevie

well one would hope that the time it would take for the person to leave, get in his car, and maybe listen to his wife (hopefully) would have given him the time needed to realize he was over-reacting. It just seems to me, that a lot of these incidents, (George Zimmerman, a man in Clearwater who came out to yell at skateboarders and killed his neighbors) are because people had guns when they didn't need them.

I came from a family of police officers. They never wanted to pull a gun because they are trained not to do so unless they intend to use it. And there may be a different breed of police these days. Certainly the job has gotten more difficult. In my father's day the police were respected and people obeyed them. Now they taunt and insult them and if they react at all get complaints filed.

This man was 71 and may have had some age related dementia or something that caused him to reach that degree of anger. I mean the guy was texting during the previews....not the film itself and to become so infuriated to resort to that all the while he sat there breaking the law by having a gun there....

I agree with your thought that he might have had some age related dementia. I thought that right from the beginning. Many become belligerent and act out of character......not their normal selves.

I also thought he might have been on some type of new pharmaceutical which also "might" have affected his behavior or anger tolerance level.

At our age, none of us like the constant ringing of cell phones or need to text.......but it is what the younger people do. It is NOT A REASON TO TAKE A LIFE.

When I saw that family photo of the wife, the husband and their three year old daughter, I immediately thought of our son, his wife and their 2 and a half year old daughter, and one year old daughter.

I can just see "Daddy" perhaps answering a text that the babysitter and 2 year old sent to mommy and daddy at the theatre. You should see these young toddlers work their way around a cell phone, I-pad, etc......just a matter of fact thing for them. They learned to navigate from babyhood.

Who knows really if the daughter texted him first (with the help of her babysitter) or the dad promised to let the little girl know when they arrived at the theatre. It's all instant communication and constant communication among that age group nowadays.

A very very sad and tragic story. Yes, the 71 year old will get a life sentence....no matter how many years the judge gives him. But, the young dad is dead, for no good reason.......the mom's hand is injured and who knows what nerve damage was done via the shot through her hand when she was trying to protect her husband, a natural instinct.....and the beautiful little girl is fatherless.

Too many angry outbursts all over our country nowadays, for no good reasons.

[nitehawk]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

In my opinion and in the opinions I would guess of almost 100% of people hearing about this and the opinion of the court who has already said no bail this is obviously someone who did something VERY wrong. I don't think anyone can think of any "real story" that could justify someone shooting someone they did not know in a darkened movie theatre.


The responses to the posts quoted was that an attempt at humor triggered justifiable anger in the face of this very horrible (alleged) incident.

INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE --- That is the American way
As far a my attempt at humor - I am sorry for those who do not see it that way- but I find it humorous - that too is the American way - and you have the right to disagree - that too is the American way and I thank you for your feedback-

[shcisamax]

Although texting can be annoying, so is talking. Wonder if someone will pull a gun out to shut up some incessant talker.

As for dementia or whatever reason, could he not just be a fed up cranky old man? with a gun?

[JourneyOfLife]

He has a right to justice! It probably will be in the hands of a jury. They will make the decision about guilt.

But I am not inclined to make theoretical excuses for the shooter or give the slightest benefit of the doubt myself.

A man is dead. A wife no longer has a husband. A daughter no longer has a father. Parents no longer have a son.

Put yourself in the victims shoes! What if it was your spouse, child, or parent?

[DaleMN]

Move along...nothing to see here....just 'standing his ground'.
And better be silent when ur eating that popcorn.

[charlie_marie]

In 2006-There were only 54 murders in Australia by firearms, 184 in Canada, 73 in England and Wales, 5 in New Zealand, and 37 people in Sweden. In comparison, firearms were used to murder 11,344 in the United States.
Just saying... We have a gun problem.

[shcisamax]

Originally Posted by AutoBike

It's not like he was the posterchild for gun owners.

Oh but he actually is. Who better equipped with training and experience? If he can completely lose control and shoot someone because he is annoyed, then what chance do mere mortals have.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by nitehawk

"SLOW DOWN" nobody except the people on totv have found this ex-officer guilty of anything -- wow -- does anyone know the real story NO - i thought this was america and innocence until PROVEN guilty---- And i stand by my statement THANK YOU

It seem rather obvious, one shooter, one dead guyl

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by charlie_marie

In 2006-There were only 54 murders in Australia by firearms, 184 in Canada, 73 in England and Wales, 5 in New Zealand, and 37 people in Sweden. In comparison, firearms were used to murder 11,344 in the United States.
Just saying... We have a gun problem.

Do ya think?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by AutoBike

Why should the NRA have to defend the actions of this retired policeman? They didn't tell him to go ballistic on the guy. It's not like he was the posterchild for gun owners.

I'm still waiting..........................and they will defend the event.

[blueash]

The assailant is already setting up his stand your ground defense. Under Florida's law, which our legislature had the opportunity to revise and did not, a person may use deadly force in a situation where they fear for their own safety. Here is the exact language

"He or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony"

Thus the "right" to use deadly force can be based on the belief that either death/great bodily harm might be imminent OR a forcible felony is about to happen

Here is the Florida definition of forcible felony:

“Forcible felony” means treason; murder; manslaughter; sexual battery; carjacking; home-invasion robbery; robbery; burglary; arson; kidnapping; aggravated assault; aggravated battery; aggravated stalking; aircraft piracy; unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or bomb; and any other felony which involves the use or threat of physical force or violence against any individual.

and lastly under Florida law a battery ..

The offense of battery occurs when a person:
1. Actually and intentionally touches or strikes another person against the will of the other; or
2. Intentionally causes bodily harm to another person.

A battery when the victim is aged 65 or older is a felony
784.08 Assault or battery on persons 65 years of age or older; reclassification of offenses In the case of battery, from a misdemeanor of the first degree to a felony of the third degree.

Thus if this shooter believed that he was preventing a battery on an elderly person (himself) his belief may be enough to get him off. Note that the definition does not require that the battery has taken place nor is taking place only that the shooter believes such an event is imminent. There is nothing in the law about who started the incident only about the state of mind of the person choosing to exercise his Florida right to stand your ground. If the shooter reasonably believed that he was about to be struck then one interpretation of this law is that he had a right to use deadly force to prevent the battery of a person aged 65+. A good lawyer can certainly make this argument and a judge can rule without the question going before a jury.

[JourneyOfLife]

If he did get off, he would not be the first to successfully use SYG as a defense.

Apparently it has become a common defense tactic.