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I'm so very glad the couple are OK and will receive no further action from this (unless they actually live in the "'hood"). This does sound like what used to be called a "rumble" against "outsiders" (does anything really change over the years?).

However, the anti's will say, "No one was killed or seriously injured, and the kids (who were just acting like kids, in the theater and out) are in jail. There was no reason for shooting kids."

I'm guessing that gang will be even more belligerent in the future.

Reminds me of a very recent thread on "guarding the culture". Although a noble cause that "guarding the culture" stuff can get pretty explosive on you pretty quick. In some areas of town I don't think there's that much "culture" worth guarding. Interestingly, I have had to ask teenagers to abandon their phone calls or please move it outside. Luckily they were much more respectful and behaved kids and I possibly approached it with the proper tacit.

I do believe that if a theater manager requests patron(s) to leave the theater over the theater's behavioral rule violations it should automatically trigger a 911 call just for safety's sake. Throwing someone out of a movie theater is quite likely to create a heated response. Never know who might just storm back past the 30.06 signs on a quest for retribution.

Certainly a nightmare of a situation but again not why I carry. If I were to ask someone to kindly please take the phone call outside and it began to escalate I would also seek the manager but I would ask for a refund/rain-check and I would leave. Creating a heated situation and sitting in it's epicenter for 2 hours just ain't too smart. Situational alarms bells would be ringing so loudly in my head I couldn't watch the show. You never know if the individuals left the area and you are safe. I'd be sitting there in the dark theater for the entire show wondering if I'm about to have my skull caved in. Your better off if you leave the area where you KNOW you are safe.

The Annoyed Man wrote:I know it sounds cold, but you only have to shoot one to get the others to back off. The couple in question reported that they were actually struck several times by several punks while trying to evade the situation, in which they were surrounded by as many as 100 of them. In my book, that is reason enough to draw the weapon, and reason enough to shoot it if drawing it doesn't stop the physical attacks.

Agreed, I would bet most of the punks would scatter at the sight of a gun, assuming they were regular rotten punks. If they were actual gang types that would be a much worse situation since some of them would probably shoot back.


I frankly try to spend as little time as possible out in public places such as movie theaters. There is very little out there that you can't do just as well or better at home. With as crappy as people seem to be getting I just don't see much pleasure in going out, not worth the hassle. I have the grocery store and gun range, what else does a man really need?






Ammo, that's what else men need, lots of ammo.

Considering the movie in question, that demographic is to be expected.

I don't like to say often that I'm looking for a fight, but I'd like those idiots to try a move in my neck of the woods. Glad some punk got to ride the lighting...I probably would've sprayed the whole lot.

As a sidenote, one of our local theaters has an off duty cop working every night. It is the "nicer" and newer one in town, and I appreciate that. Maybe something to look for when you guys go out.

I really hate rude people in a theatre. talking, or kicking my chair just ruins it for me, and it's all I can do to keep my cool.
I seldom go, and it has to be a show that I really want to see, and one that needs to be seen on the Big Screen.

Fortunately, you can better your odds of having a good experience in several ways:

1 - Go to a theater in a good part of town, one that costs the most. Avoid the dollar theaters. Our favorite cost $12, and usually has an iMax feature. Drive a little further.
2 - Go to shows that do not appeal to gang-bangers. Big screen epics over Stallone
3 - Go opening night. or weekend. These are people that are there to see the show.
4 - Go early evening, rather than late or matinee. This works for me, but other areas and times of year late might work better.

Rex B wrote:I really hate rude people in a theatre...

I really hate rude people...everywhere.

This is just the beginning....a sample of what is yet to come.

The situation in society is not going to improve.

I agree. I hate to sound this way but ... when the moral fabric of society unravels, hang on. I'm wondering how bad it has to get before we cease to tolerate this kind of behavior from kids. Perhaps I'm just too old!

AndyC wrote:Given that situation, it's *TAP-TAP* then "K - who's next?"

Adult actions come with adult consequences *shrug*

Absolutely! Enough is enough! This is why we have our CHL and our CCW.

According to a police report, three others -- 16-year-old Ishmael Dunbar, 17-year-old Reginald Gardner and 20-year-old Destiny McNeil -- were arrested and charged with felony battery on a law enforcement officer and trespassing.

This was the part of the article that caught my eye. Obviously the fracas wasn't over just the couple. When the police arrived, it must have escalated even more. If I were a betting man, I'd bet that all three felony battery charges are dropped or reduced, proving to the three BGs that it is OK to beat up on ordinary citizens AND LEOs.

It isn't just a lack of respect at work here - it is a total disregard for the rule of law. That is until someone trumps the teen lawlessness with a firearm and then the families will expect the legal system to work on behalf of their belligerent kids. It just amazes me how the there isn't a reasonable way out of a situation like this for the law abiding citizen. If you try to step in personally, you put yourself at risk. If you escalate to management, that doesn't necessary remove that risk, even for the LEOs.

If the behavior was bad enough to the request to be quiet, I agree that it was bad enough to request a refund. I'm sorry for the soldier who had to endure this situation but his best course of action may have been to withdraw. Who would have expected to face a situation where he would need combat pay at his local movie theater?

Edit: two typos

SmoothFox wrote:

XtremeDuty.45 wrote:http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/12/29/ir ... latestnews

This is one reason I carry. To protect my family. However, I wonder what would happen with that many thugs. You draw your weapon to get them to back off but there are so many do y'all think that they would disperse or try to pounce on you?

Part of being a CHL'er is to avoid confrontation. Draw your weapon to preserve life and limb, not your virgin ears.

Virgin ears.???... I can only assume you failed to read, or comprehend the article..

We have a responsibility to attempt non violent resolution of a confrontation.

Having A CHL is not a batman license .. nor does having a CHL require to capitulate to all others transgressions.

Asking someone to keep the noise down is not a confrontation.. And as a Human, a civilized human, we SHOULD ask others to respect a common bit if consideration to others. Those not willing to do that deserve what they get, and really, should stay at home, and order in pizza.

If your not willing to do that..thats your personal choice, but not mine, Nor is it a requirement because I choose to carry a legal concealed weapon.

As for dealing with a large crowd 300? Nope, can get um all,, but but I can encourage the remaining 281 that they do not want to be #20.

XtremeDuty.45 wrote:

SmoothFox wrote:

XtremeDuty.45 wrote:http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/12/29/ir ... latestnews

This is one reason I carry. To protect my family. However, I wonder what would happen with that many thugs. You draw your weapon to get them to back off but there are so many do y'all think that they would disperse or try to pounce on you?

Part of being a CHL'er is to avoid confrontation. Draw your weapon to preserve life and limb, not your virgin ears.

Did you even read the story?

Clearly he did not.

Beiruty wrote:911 should be your first call.

How do you know they didn't call 911? Somebody obviously did. The story doesn't say.

Beiruty wrote:I feel this issue escalaed due a racial slur.

Based on what? The story doesn't mention anything about racial slurs.

Beiruty wrote:How can one summon some 100 young men/women to attack a couple? Where the whole gang watching the flick?

Ever heard of instant messaging? Twitter? This is the age of instant communication.

Beiruty wrote:Why weren't the couple escorted to back door exit?

The article doesn't say.

Beiruty wrote:Did the armed bystander pull his weapom?

The article doesn't say.

bronco78 wrote:Asking someone to keep the noise down is not a confrontation.. And as a Human, a civilized human, we SHOULD ask others to respect a common bit if consideration to others. Those not willing to do that deserve what they get, and really, should stay at home, and order in pizza.

I am one who pays attention to such things, keeping my voice hushed and covered when on a phone anywhere in public, for so many reasons. However, I have, more than I care to think, found myself being too loud in public (usually when talking to a relative ). So, there are times when I need to be reminded. The moment of "insult" quickly passes, and I quickly comply. Meaning, a request for quiet should not be considered a confrontation.

But, our modern "society" does not seem to be very "social." 'Nuff said....