I watched the press conference held this morning with the CO Governor, Aurora Mayor, and Aurora Chief of Police.
According to the Chief of Police (who gave out far more info in a nationally broadcast press conference than I would have), at the time they took Holmes into custody, he had the AR15 "Assault Rifle", a Remington 870 12 gauge, and 2 Glock .40 cal pistols. One of the pistols was found in his car and they didn't know (four hours ago) if he'd used it in the theater or not. I don't think it really matters at this point.
He was also unwilling to speculate on the guy's motives. He said that the first officers arrived on the scene a minute and change after the first 911 call was received and the suspect was subdued without further incident. From how he described the victims, it didn't sound like any were a result of friendly fire.
Listening to the media speculate about this all morning was a treat. "Some people were confused because they thought he was in costume. Do you think we should forbid costumes in theaters?" (He wasn't in a batman costume.)
"Do you think we should have metal detectors at the entrances?" (He didn't go through the front door.)
"Were these weapons purchased legally? Did he have a right to have these guns?" (Yes, he did, with no criminal record. But if he hadn't had guns, he'd have used all his fancy explosives and chemicals instead and how well do ya' think that would have turned out?)
On a higher note, everyone interviewed, from some chief of police in SoCal to a business owner in Denver, when asked these questions, all stated that this was a random crime and in no way should it be cause to restrict our liberty. The Governor of CO (a democrat even), stated, "We can't allow people who are aberrations of nature to take away the freedoms we enjoy."
I can't see how the anti's can use this as an example of anything other than a good reason to be more diligent in carrying a weapon to protect yourself and your family.
As to not drawing on this idiot in a crowded theater:
- Theaters have a fairly steep slope down from back to front to allow for a clear view from every seat in the house.
- The emergency exit doors (what he kicked in to get into the room) are typically down in front near the screen, in other words, in full clear view, unless people are standing in chairs and such, which I highly doubt if there are bullets flying.
- This is the perfect example of why training is critical.
No, I wouldn't have risked drawing if I were in the middle of the row and midway up the room. But someone with decent training, and with solid situational awareness enough to sit in the end seat with a clear view of exits and entrances (which we all should be doing anyway) could have taken the shot and prevented some of the tragedy.
And if carrying a weapon were the norm instead of the exception these days, most idiots would think twice about doing what he did.
