With the recent movie theater shooting in Louisiana and the trial of the Aurora, Colorado theater shooter both in the news, movie theater safety has been a hot button issue. Should movie theaters have more security?
A new study has been done on the topic of movie theater security, and while most people view theaters as safe places, many do support stronger measures. Research firm C4 conducted the survey of 250 moviegoers on July 28th and 29th, and according to Variety: Nearly a third of moviegoers believe that bags and purses should be checked for weapons before people go into a theater, and 34% believe that lobbies should have armed security personnel and a metal detector.
While these numbers mean that two-thirds of respondents do not support these measures, this is still a decent chunk of the movie going public in favor metal detectors, bag searches, and armed guards.
During the shooting, A 59-year-old drifter known for his extremist, conservative views open fired in the Louisiana killing two people and wounding nine, authorities said. Russel Houser chose a seat in the back row of the Lafayette, La. theater and fired a semi-automatic handgun at the crowd below him. Houser was estranged from his family and had been staying at a nearby Motel 6.
The weapon was bought legally at a pawnshop in Phenix City, Alabama, last year, and Houser had visited the theater more than once, possibly casing the venue in preparation for his attack, police said.
The rampage lasted only a matter of minutes as police swarmed the venue and the deranged shooter turned his weapon on himself. Houser places fake license plates on his blue 1995 Lincoln Continental and parked near a side exit of the theater, possibly hoping to make a quick escape, police said. The gunman, armed with a semi-automatic .40-caliber handgun and one additional magazine, bought a ticket for the 7:10 p.m. showing of "Trainwreck," acting like any other patron, according to police. Witnesses began hearing gunshots about 20 minutes into the movie.
