"An unfortunate lack of wisdom" (Movie theater publicity stunt)

[rugerdude]

http://www.abc17news.com/news/movie...on/-/18421100/20089958/-/66o97fz/-/index.html

I think the officer's words in the interview were spot on here. Granted, I did not see exactly what was going on in the movie theater and what the actors were doing, but this was most certainly in poor taste.

EDIT: It was apparently not quite as sinister as the report makes it seem. There were other actors including someone dressed up as Iron Man. The weapons involved had orange tips or were translucent plastic, however, depending on the lighting this may not have been readily apparent. Anecdotal reports also claim that the police response was greatly exaggerated.

 

[guyfromohio]

Dumb move

 

[coloradokevin]

What a stupid idea. Could have ended badly for any number of reasons.

 

[Lex Luthier]

People are awesome. One can assume with high probability that crazy will perpetuate itself.

 

[Texan Scott]

The manager of this theater needs to be asking the people of his community one question:

"Would you like fries with that?"

Some peoples' kids.....

 

[rugerdude]

I think many of us here would like to see the day when guns aren't a cause for concern just because they appear in public, however this is a pretty tasteless bit. The "actor" is very lucky someone wasn't carrying at the time especially since many people are more likely to carry at movies since the shooting in Aurora, regardless of posted signs.

 

[herrwalther]

They must have been taught common sense by Pine Eagle Charter School.

 

[fanchisimo]

How is it a promotion of the movie to have a guy in full battle rattle? Maybe a giant suit of Iron Man armor, but I don't remember too many tactical guys in the movie. And who is to say that there wasn't a CCW holder in the audience that exhibited proper restraint, even though I feel at least drawing your weapon would have been understandable.

 

[loose noose]

Stupid is as Stupid does. Unbelievable!

 

[Byrd666]

Absolutely insane. And pretty damn stupid to boot.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

Wow.

Ok... Let's say you find yourself in the position of leaving the theater as this "combatant" is entering. How do you handle it?

*EDITED* - Wow, the media really didn't tell the whole story on that one. Walking along side an actor in an Iron Man costume really does change the picture being presented.

 

[average_shooter]

I don't know if anyone else bothered to read through the comments on that article, but one of the commentors was part of the cosplay group that was involved with the promotional event and posted a link to pictures of it. I'll repost that link here:

https://www.facebook.com/AmberAndAmandaPhotography

If you'll notice, the "weapons" in question are airsoft or other orange-tipped, clear plastic knock off stuff. And the guys in "battle rattle" were in fact flanked around another actor dressed as Iron Man. The one that apparently caused alarm may have been late, or gone to the parking lot, but apparently caused such alarm because he was walking through the lot alone, away from the rest of the group already inside.

Let's try to not be as reactionary and "knee jerk" as our opposition, shall we?

 

[Texan Scott]

I think I'm the parking lot, I'd have noticed the orange tips ... in the theater, who knows?

 

[rugerdude]

Ah, wonderful to have some more insight. I apologize for posting without all the facts. Very interesting how there was no mention of the Iron Man outfit, or any other actors at all.

One still must consider that despite being translucent and orange tipped, the fake weapons may appear real if the lighting is not the best.

If nothing else this is a pretty good example of how things can be spun by the media.

 

[Robert]

Not on topic for THR.