Just a few observations...though some have already been touched on:

1. The root problem isn't guns or gun control...it really is the state of our mental health system in this country & the stigma attached to it. Reagan really fucked up the system that was in place & it never recovered really. Too many people fall through the cracks, & only after something like this happens does everyone who knew the perp come out and say that so-and-so was a weirdo or a freak. People like that need to be addressed & get treatment BEFORE they do something like that. We need to be more proactive & address the root cause...instead of always being reactive. I know it's easier said than done...but it is what it is.

2. It's not a Batman thing either. It would logically seem that he simply targeted that movie because he knew it would be a packed theater as it was the premier...thus he'd have more targets.

3. It's important to remember that we are talking about a DARK movie theater that was filled with SMOKE at the time. The perp was prepared, and he had the right equipment to overcome the environment. He was wearing "a black ballistic or bullet-resistant helmet, a ballistic tactical vest with pockets, ballistic leggings, throat and groin protectors, a gas mask and ballistic tactical gloves." So, given the totality of the circumstances, I don't see how people in the theater packing heat would have helped things. On the contrary, I believe anyone who would have returned fire would have only made matters worse due to the fact that there was little/no visibility and the theater was packed and things were rather crazy at the time. If anything, more innocent people would likely have ended up getting shot in the process.

4. Finally, on the gun control issue...I don't support full bans, but I do believe some happy medium needs to be found. Unfortunately groups like the NRA and their supporters will never go for it, and nuts like this guy will again be able to amass an arsenal with the simplest of ease. I mean, what individual legitimately needs to buy at least 4 different guns (2 hand, 1 shotgun, and a Smith & Wesson AR-15) AND nearly 6000 round of ammo, in a 60 day period of time? It was similar to what happened in the Virginia Tech shooting...the shooter started amassing a stockpile right before the shooting.

I don't know about anyone else, but unless you are a dealer, I would have to say that amassing an arsenal in such a brief period of time should raise a red flag that the person has "something" planned. Anyway, I believe reasonable limits should be put in place...but sadly that is subjective, and it would be hard to reach a consensus anyway. Furthermore, there are always ways around things. Though in this case, and the VA Tech shooting, the perps bought their weapons from dealers, and passed the background checks...there is no background checks requirement for private sales and private sales at gun shows usually.

So, long story short, no amount of gun control legislation will stop a nut who is Hell bent and determined to pull something. Truly disturbed people always seem to find a way. Hell this guy even dabbled in explosives too. That's why, though guns sure as Hell make it easier...they are not the root cause of the problem. The root cause of the problem is the individual nuts who do things like this, the state of our mental health system, and the number of people who are seemingly are on people's radar, but never get the help they so clearly need UNTIL AFTER they pull something...if even then.

Knee jerk reactions are not the answer. We don't need to turn our movie theaters into fortresses now. We need to turn our attentions to the individuals who are likely to pull things like this, and address them and their "issues" BEFORE they act in such a horrific and heinous manner. We need to make help readily available, & work toward removing the negative stigma that is attached to mental health and seeking treatment. Sadly, in a society where our prisons are used as the modern mental hospitals (except minus the actual treatment...Hell, they can't even make you take your meds), I don't see things getting any better...on the contrary, I only see them getting worse.

Legislation & more security aren't the answers...individual treatment is. Unfortunately, I'm sure we are likely to see more of the prior and little, or none, of the the latter. Hey, that's how we roll...break out a box of band-aids to deal with things instead of actually addressing the REAL problem.