UPDATE (3:16 p.m.)—The Baltimore County Police Department will not assign police to movie theaters this weekend in the wake of the shooting at the opening of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora, CO.
Elise Armacost, in an email statement, said the department "is monitoring the developing case in Colorado and will continue to assess the likelihood of problems here in Baltimore County.
"We are not assigning officers to movie theaters, but we will increase patrols around malls and movie theaters to alleviate community fears and address any potential threats that may occur," Armacost wrote in the statement. "In addition, theaters often employ off duty police officers, so law enforcement may already be present."
In other jurisdictions such as and , police are being assigned to theaters in the aftermath of the shooting.
Armacost called the Colorado shooting a "random horrible crime." Local police in Aurora have been clear that "this is not a terrorist attack or that anyone else is involved," she said.
Armacost said county police "have no information to indicate that theater-goers in Baltimore County are at any risk."
Law enforcement is regularly present around AMC Loews White Marsh 16, according to Capt. Michael Balog of the White Marsh precinct.
In addition to on-duty patrol officers who cover area streets The Avenue at White Marsh shopping center and movie theater employ uniformed police officers who provide additional part-time security, Balog said.
Emily Kimball, local editor for Perry Hall Patch, contributed to this story.
He was in FULL body armor. None of the movie going, gun toting schlubs would have had a chance. They'd have just added to the body count.
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed" It amazes me how this has turned into 'anyone can own a gun'. Nowhere does it say that we all have a Constitutional right to bear arms. Really, what the Constitution says is that (in today's context)anyone actively in the national guard or active military duty can be armed. Nothing more, nothing less. Now, conceivably, any male at any time could be called into service, i.e. the term militia. However, this is grossly taken out of context as applied today. There isn't even a draft. Although the one qualifier I'll make to this statement, I am alright with folks having a firearm in their home. I am a big believer in the Castle Doctrine. Taking it outside of your home? No.
BTW, I am neither advocating nor criticizing these weapons nor their availability.
Actually, the FACTS say the shooter had a simple bullet resistant vest and tactical leggings. Tactical clothing does not mean bullet proof, tactical bodywear is cheap-o made in china accessories with a lot of pockets and gun holsters. Made for people who like police gear, not any more dangerous or bullet resistant then any other pants, helmet, throat protector. I dont care what a person is wearing, even a bullet proof vest, if that person catches a .45 they are badly hurt There are tons and tons of anti-gun people having a field day behind this case. I can not wait until this story blows over, and all the political cry baby's go back to spewing their mis-information onto the next big news event.
You don't get justices on the Court if they don't agree with the NRA. Remember, they all get vetted by Congress.
In the end, it doesn't matter what I think. If I were an actual justice, my career would go nowhere with this kind of view. Even if I had proof from the founding fathers via time travel that I was right. I didn't think most folks would agree with me. There are some solid arguments to be made on both sides of this.
Again though, I completely agree and support gun ownership for home self defense. A dead burglar is fine by me.
This had more to do with being the 'first' showing of the movie. It could have been 7pm and he'd still do it. This guy wanted to be a spectacle, doing it at a premier showing gave him maximum possible exposure.