# 12 people shot dead at BATMAN movie screening in Denver. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 20, 2012, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835 "2012-07-20T09:31:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/321 "2012-07-22T12:44:48Z")
I doubt I would, either, but **oreally** is implying this is some variety of horrible parenting or a crime. Like I said, it’s not ideal but compared to so many other things that are bad or wrong in the world this seems a trivial complaint to me. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/322 "2012-07-22T12:47:23Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I doubt I would, either, but **oreally** is implying this is some variety of horrible parenting or a crime. Like I said, it’s not ideal but compared to so many other things that are bad or wrong in the world this seems a trivial complaint to me. Yeah, I just meant out of respect for others in the theater. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/323 "2012-07-22T13:19:28Z")
The only time it would be non-rude is if the baby is sleeping/quiet - which, as we all know, is not a universal trait of babies. I was the sort of infant you _could_ take to a movie without the other patrons ever knowing I was there because I’d sleep through _anything_. And, of course, if the baby wakes up the parent(s) should immediately exit with the child, but really, I find babies are _usually_ less objectionable than the assholes relating their latest sexual escapades/complaints and/or surgical procedures on their cellphones and who will NOT SHUT THE FUCK UP. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/324 "2012-07-22T13:33:08Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > The only time it would be non-rude is if the baby is sleeping/quiet - which, as we all know, is not a universal trait of babies. I was the sort of infant you _could_ take to a movie without the other patrons ever knowing I was there because I’d sleep through _anything_. > > And, of course, if the baby wakes up the parent(s) should immediately exit with the child, but really, I find babies are _usually_ less objectionable than the assholes relating their latest sexual escapades/complaints and/or surgical procedures on their cellphones and who will NOT SHUT THE FUCK UP. Eh, Batman was a loud experience for me. I’ve never dealt with a 3 month old before, but I think if I had a baby at that age, I would leave it home, or try to catch the movie at a more convenient time. (if I couldn’t find a sitter that night) I wouldn’t be irate with a baby in the audience, but it could be a distraction… so let’s just say “I” wouldn’t do it. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/325 "2012-07-22T14:14:13Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > Any _logical_ reason at all as to why a civilian was/is able to own an assault weapon? Because an AR-15 is functionally no different from a semi-automatic deer rifle; the differences are cosmetic. And for what it’s worth, reports now say that Holmes’s AR-15 jammed and most of the shots fired were from his shotgun and handguns. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/326 "2012-07-22T14:35:00Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > The issue here is the terminology “assault rifle” versus “assault weapon.” If the guy had an AR-15, as the news is reporting, then it was an “assault weapon” under the now-defunct 1994 federal law, and under the current California law. It was not an “assault rifle” under the military’s definition. > > The US military doesn’t, as far as i know, define an “assault weapon”; it defines an “assault rifle.” According to US Army/Defense Intelligence Agency documents like the one [here](http://www.scribd.com/doc/39969480/ST-HB-07-03-74-Small-Arms-Identification-and-Operation-Guide-Eurasian-Communist-Countries-1973):A key requirement of the military definition is that an assault rifle have selective fire capability. You have to be able to select automatic, rather just semi-auto, for it to qualify. Thanks, mhendo. My ignorance has been fought. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/327 "2012-07-22T16:00:53Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Thanks, mhendo. > My ignorance has been fought. > > 🙂 A friend of mine had a Chinese AK copy. It had a bayonet that hinged back against the side of the rifle. It was perfectly legal in New Jersey despite the fact that we have an assault weapons ban. The same weapon would be illegal if it had a bayonet lug with the potential of having a bayonet attached. The definition of assault weapon is generally politically motivated and is more about looks than functionallity. With few exceptions, actual military style weapons with the ability to shoot automatic or three round burst are illegal throughout the country. Assault weapons are guns that look scary. I heard one politician talking about how this guy had “high powered” weapons after it had already come out that he had a .223. The situation is already beyond horrific. There is no need to try and make it sound worse. When politicians start using scare words it just confuses the issue further. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/328 "2012-07-22T17:14:57Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Assault weapons are guns that look scary. Yep. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/329 "2012-07-22T18:00:51Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Because an AR-15 is functionally no different from a semi-automatic deer rifle; the differences are cosmetic. > > And for what it’s worth, reports now say that Holmes’s AR-15 jammed and most of the shots fired were from his shotgun and handguns. Nitpick. _One_ handgun and the shotgun. He brought two handguns, yes, but the police chief said he only carried one into the theater. The other one was found in the shooter’s car. ---
**Author:** ![Imago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/85e7bf/32.png) [@Imago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imago)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/330 "2012-07-22T19:26:46Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Then why has crime been going down in the US for decades despite the fact that gun laws have increasingly been liberalized? Not to mention by this logic Canada should be also suffering from a “plague” of guns. Kid, we _are._ You just don’t hear about it as much. ---
**Author:** ![Beastly\_Rotter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@Beastly\_Rotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastly_Rotter)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/331 "2012-07-22T21:20:33Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#): > > I wouldn’t take a 3 month old to the movies at any time. Yeah, they’re too small to make decent shields. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/332 "2012-07-23T03:49:50Z")
So it sounds like this guy has completely invoked his right to silence and ain’t talkin’. It may be a while before we learn what his beef was. Due in court today (Monday), isn’t he? ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/333 "2012-07-23T12:43:50Z")
The youngest son of an old and dear family we’ve been close to for fourty years now was in the Aurora theater with two of his four kids. Gordon Cowden is gone and once again the world makes no sense. He, like his parents, brothers and sister is, or now was, just an incredibly strong, gentle, admirable person. Quiet, unassuming but with a wonderful sense of humor and intellect. His family writes that he was a true Texas gentleman and always intent on doing the right thing no matter the issue or cost. That’s about as well put as it can be and his loss is a painful thing to behold. You’ll probably hear the least about him as they’re private, quiet people but for those of us that knew him and know what the undeserving family must now face, the pain goes to our very soul and beyond. I’ll be at the funeral Friday. I don’t expect it will answer any questions or heal any wounds but I do think the strength of all the others there will allow us to focus on all that was so good and admirable in him and give focus to what is worthy of trying to emmulate. Gordon’s death is an enormous loss to everyone that knew him and finding where to put that, making sense of why he’s gone is something we may struggle with for years to come if not forever. It’s almost impossible to process the fact he’s just one of so many taken from us Saturday morning. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/334 "2012-07-23T14:00:01Z")
I don’t have the energy to Pit him, but I hate Alex Jones more now than I ever have. That douche is cashing in on this tragedy with gusto. I heard some of his comments today. If I thought he was just a conspiracy nut I would just ignore him. But he convinced me long ago he is a phony who plays a role to make “good” radio. Fuck him. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/335 "2012-07-23T14:13:46Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > \*I’ve only read the first page. Apologies if my query has been answered since. > > Any _logical_ reason at all as to why a civilian was/is able to own an assault weapon? What’s next? Owning a F-18 is “freedom”? Please review the last 13 years of Great Debates, and you’ll find your answer in there. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/336 "2012-07-23T14:23:32Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > Please review the last 13 years of Great Debates, and you’ll find your answer in there. Another good reason to never go to GD. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/337 "2012-07-23T16:40:19Z")
Just saw his appearance in court. He seemed very dazed. ---
**Author:** ![D-bear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@D-bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D-bear)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/338 "2012-07-23T16:43:04Z")
I thought he looked much more like Ronald McDonald than the Joker. Just sayin… ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/339 "2012-07-23T17:06:30Z")
> [@D-bear](#): > > I thought he looked much more like Ronald McDonald than the Joker. Just sayin… I honestly think his hair color is proof of how far his mind is gone. The Joker has never had red hair. So if this guy is so committed to being a psycho that he booby-trapped his house, you’d think he’d get that detail right. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835/340 "2012-07-23T17:14:26Z")
Yea, guy definitely looked pretty out there at his hearing, even ignoring the hair. His head was nodding back and forth and his face was a text book “flat affect”. Not that the actual crime wasn’t evidence enough of a severely cracked gourd. Will they run into the same issues they ran into with the guy that shot Rep. Giffords? IIRC, he still hasn’t been charged since the State couldn’t find a psychiatrist willing to say he was competent to stand trial. Also, if your going to dye your hair before you slaughter a theatre full of people, either shave your sideburns or dye them to. Otherwise you just look goofy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-people-shot-dead-at-batman-movie-screening-in-denver/628835.md?page=18)