[Rinnwald]

The first thought should be getting out of there and getting to safety.

Why, if you and olepap have keenly sensed good natured high-jinks going on? You know, telling a child with a toy gun in the dark from an active shooter; the skill sorely lacking in many police shootings.

And if it is an active shooter, why would I be jammed at the exits with a hundred other folks, waiting to get mowed down? You're damned right I'd be shooting back. Call me a Rambo or any name you want.

[Blue Jays]

"...you’re damned right I’d be shooting back..."

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Yet shooting at exactly WHOM in a darkened movie theater?
The person four rows behind where the sound might have come?

CCW is a truly great thing and undoubtedly prevents countless crimes.
There are scenarios where quickly exiting and obtaining cover is ideal.

It would demand optimal conditions to halt a threat in a dark theater unless the nutjob was literally standing motionless five feet away shooting moviegoers. These seem to be challenging distinctions to make (in complete darkness) when 99% of those nearby would be fellow innocent folks.