Retired Tampa police officer Curtis Reeves shot and killed Chad Oulson during the previews for Lone Survivor at the Grove 16 Theatre in Wesley Chapel earlier today. Witness Charles Cummings [via cnn.com] said, “The two men started arguing again and the cell phone user told the other man he was just texting his daughter. A few silent seconds elapsed and the argument started again. Their voices started going up. There seemed to almost be a confrontation. Somebody throws popcorn; I’m not sure who threw it. And then bang, he was shot.” cnn.com continues the story: “The victim staggered over and fell on Cummings and his son. A nurse who was in the theater . . .
performed CPR on the victim until the paramedics arrived, said Cummings, who like his son, had spatters of blood on his clothes. The shooter sat down and put the gun on his lap, and an off-duty deputy from Sumter County who was there to watch the film made sure the shooter didn’t leave.”
Needless to say, Alabama-based Cobb Theaters are gun-free zones.
Sure, lets make schools like airports. Finger-y TSA agents fondling kids are WAY better than the second amendment…
Sure glad I got out of Kalifornia a few years ago. I have a question!
Is it illegal to cut out a picture of Dianne Feinstein from the newspaper, and use it for a bulls eye?
Can’t believe no one has said the obvious yet. It’s chinese. What country’s arms manufacturer was the successful target of a sting operation for selling automatic weapons and RPGs to people they believed to be gang members? What country is known for putting out clones of western products? What country has a large arms industry and already makes something similar? It’s pretty obvious.
I was gonna say the exact same thing man. The Chinese and the Iranians both make domestic copies of the AR and likely the M203 as well. It would make sense for either country to misspell the word government on their black market firearms. The end user doesn’t speak English either so they won’t notice.
Shooting people for texting during a movie is a bit extreme. Now, if they were talking, I could understand.
Or … Shoot the phone?
Just saying’.
Maybe he aimed for the phone, he was a cop after all.
Don’t forget throwing popcorn. If you go around throwing popcorn in a theater you should probably expect to be shot.
During the previews, though. For real. I’m a complete jerk about people on their phones during the movie*, but I don’t care what people do during the previews, as long as they knock it off when the lights go down.
I also find it helps to not see certain movies in the theatre. Certain movies attract certain viewers who either don’t care or find it perfectly OK to talk to or through the movie.
*And yes, that includes texting. Wait ’til you have someone doing it in a dark movie and see how much light pollution that little screen puts out. In a stadium-style theatre, it’s obnoxiously bright even if they’re a dozen rows below you.
If you’re planning to see the latest major release and find a job corps bus in the parking lot, just turn around and go home.
The only good thing about this story is that a bad (ex)cop gets sent to jail like a significant percentage of them should be. He probably did similar things to citizens when he was on the job and got away with it. Hopefully he ain’t going to get the special immunity he got before.
Wow … I guess we should be taking the please-no-texting-during-the-movie blurbs more seriously.
But really … I just don’t get why.
Now that is crazy. Gives both gun owners and texters a bad name.
No, it gives gun owners a bad name. Everyone already knows people who text and talk during movies are rude.
Retired officer shooting texters?!?! An officer of the law?Retired or not just goes to show anyone can flip.
Maybe he got confused, what with all the confusion and all, thought he was still on active duty.
Nah. Then he woulda missed the texter
and hit the nurse and the dog.
Shooter was a retired Tampa police officer so the “Gun Free Zone” signs have no affect on him.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/texting-triggers-fatal-movie-theater-shooting/story?id=21517988
I’m not sure what relevance it is that the theater was a gun-free zone. If we assume bad guys don’t honor them what would be the outcome of a good guy had a gun too? Pretty much the same outcome. Two guys arguing and one guy pulls a gun and shoots but does little more. No real room for a good guy with a gun to be a hero here. Gun-free zone or not, the story would have been exactly the same.
The ironic part is that it was a retired police officer who did the shooting, thus destroying antis argument of only police and military needed handguns as they’re the “trained ones that we can trust to know when or when not to shoot”
And that’s a real danger if they have any rhetorical sense. Pretty soon they’ll be bleating that guns are too dangerous for anyone to own.
Conversely, those that don’t think that police should get special treatment could be using it to our advantage- although it’s outright scummy to politicize every little thing.
facts, shmacks…insert fingers into ears.
ABC is reporting that the shooter is a retired “Only One” and a off duty “Only One” held the retired one at bay.
Retired mythical officer of stalward character? You mean to tell me a NON armed civilian took down an armed and “professionally trained” individual? trolololol 🙂
Thats like a gun control catch 22 in itself.
Seems the connection between if the deputy actually stopped him or just made sure he didnt leave after the fact?
This just reminds me over and over again: “If you wouldnt do it without the gun, you sure as shit shouldnt do it with it.”
EDIT: Does anyone who has a 3 year old that can text? Can your 3 year old comprehend said texts? confused as to how the victim said he was texting his 3 year old.
Baby sitter?
Hmm, Florida. Has CNN blamed Zimmerman yet?
I’m waiting to see “retired neighborhood watch leader shoots innocent young boy” on all msm sites.
Almost. “Retired Busch Gardens security officer shoots father.”
Really odd coincidence because just as I returned home from a movie here in Sarasota, where, as usual, I was concealed carrying, I flipped on the news and this was the story that was on. Strange.
all the shooter has to say is “I’m a cop and i thought he was reaching for a gun.” then everyone will be like oh ok and thank you for your great work.
on the flip side what if this was a dgu? maybe he asked the texter to stop texting and the texter threatened him. at my local theater an incident like that happened. a guy asked a group to stop texting and they dragged him out of the theater and beat him.
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/24435641/2014/01/13/shots-fired-at-wesley-chapel-movie-theater
Retired police Captain. Apprehended by an off duty Sumter County deputy.
My sister lives in Wesley Chapel. My brother went to school with the victim here in Illinois. He had a beautiful wife and 3 year old daughter and it’s a goddamned shame he is dead.
Too bad for the shooter he’s retired. If he was still on the force he’d have just scored himself a month’s paid vacation.
Absolutely true. And it would have been a paid vacation!
Regardless he will be treated well as he is “ex-cop”
I’ve got 2 suggestions to make the search better.
1) move the search bar to the top. It took me a long time to realize it even existed 1/2 way down on the right side between the ads.
2) make sure all the meta data is accurate. sometimes I pick a few criteria to try and find a certain type of gun, but it doesn’t work. then i use google, and it turns out the reviews are there. It seems like this mostly happens with older reviews, so maybe not everything was retroactively updated?
Anyway, you asked so I responed. I love the site. I’ve learned as much here as about all the other sites put together. I hope you guys keep up the great work.
Forget metal detectors… how about tax-payer funded guns and training for librarians?
Then we can all watch as violence against book readers and the theft of library materials goes down. LOL.
“He was instrumental in establishing the department’s first Tactical Response Team,” the statement explained.
Sounds about par for a no-dick SWATer.
As they say, “you can’t make this sh-t up.”
just like Benghazi, fast and furious, etc, the anti-gunners will throw this jack-ass under the proverbial bus and cut him loose. . . .
Oh good! More price gouging from Kel-tec! How wonderful! Let me guess, mmmmmm MSRP of $880 but now available to you for a mere $3,200 ! How nice!
At the beginning of the movie it says turn them off, dude had it coming.
Also, if you have to make a phone call or text someone, get the hell up and walk outside the theatre.
During the movie, I agree with you about the “take it outside” part. But this was still during the previews.
As for the “had it coming” part, troll harder.
I think the Bloomberg/Watts Sideshow should lobby for an end to police carve-outs. Active duty or retired, I don’t care. They should be subject to the same laws as the rest of us.
Funny no photos of cop
They did right by me on the recall, gave me $100 more than I paid for the gun, a discount on next purchase (if they ever release), and covered my holster expenses. I still feel recalling the entire line was bogus.
Now wearing my skeptics hat — Very poor marketing decision to launch the product without gel testing videos; which leads me to believe their claims are trumped beyond actual performance. Especially in the YouTube age.
It looks mean and nasty on paper, but paper ain’t people…err zombies; yeah, that’s the politically correct term for the idiots.
I’d also like to see the “string” made of a strong wire as to act as a sort of guillotine effect.
All that said, I’m still reserving any real praise or disparage remarks until after we see some real ballistics gel testing.
The ACR did this years ago
You mean the non-existent conversion kits that were never released to the public? Not to mention that the semi-auto ACR had a propensity to go full-auto. 😉
In reality, the act of texting probably is not the problem. It’s the notification ‘ring’ of the incoming response that infuriates someone trying to watch a movie that he paid good money to enjoy. If theaters still had ushers, the man would have been evicted for breaking the ‘no phones’ rule in every theater. I can understand the frustration, but I think I would have demanded my money back and avoided that theater in the future rather than shoot the bastard . . .
If you have an Alamo Drafthouse in your area, they have an enforced ban on talking/texting during the movie. One warning, and then the offender is shown the door.
I disagree that texting isn’t a problem. When that screen lights up in a really dark theatre, it flashlights the whole room because your eyes are so sensitive.
I, too, am frustrated when I pay good money to see a movie in a theater, only to have it ruined by my fellow attendees. My solution: never go to the movies.
-the theater experience can be easily rivaled (often surpassed) by home entertainment systems
-there are no irritating patrons
-there isn’t a full 30 minutes of previews before the movie starts
-you can watch what you want, when you want to, without having to show up early
-you can enjoy reasonably priced snack food, and alcoholic beverages aren’t prohibited
-for the price of one movie ticket, you can purchase a netflix subscription for an entire month
The movie theater industry should have died years ago. I’ll continue to do my part to kill it.
Didnt I read here that arsenal made an AK that accepts magazines inserted straight in like an AR instead of titled in traditionally? That seems like one hell of an idea to put into new guns.
That is pretty neat.
Whole lotta banging going on out there.
the gun was a .380, so I’ll just assume that he bought it because everybody on Officer.com forums told him a .380 is a worthless mouse gun incapable of killing anyone. therefore making it an excellent choice as a less-than-lethal weapon.
Zevi makes som really nice stuff.
I’ve been waiting on a .22 cal kit for the glock for 25 years.
Hot dog!!!
msrp….and would make a heck of a SBR candidate.
Well I have a 7.62X39 upper for my ar. All I do is switch out the 5.56 for the 7.62×39 uppers. I already have 7.62×39 mags that fit into an ar-15. I think its a bit faster and a bit cheaper then this. But, that is 1 mans opinion. 🙂
this is why I wait for the DVD to come out
They ruined a remarkable concept by keeping it DGI.
They’re cute all right, but I’m nearly old enough to be their dad..
I’m more like their Dad’s youngest brother’s age, but it’s still creepy.
I would like more details about the confrontation before I decide if I think this was justified or not. It’s a big step from thrown popcorn to shooting, there is probably more to the story (even if the more to the story is a burned out cop who has a history of anger issues).
I will say, retired cop or not, at 71, a punch can prove fatal. If he was threatened with physical violence, he could be well justified in drawing his gun. And Florida law is odd about drawing a gun and not firing it. The much maligned FL self defense laws only explicitly cover you when you actually use force, implied threat of force is not explicitly covered (there is a bill gaining steam in the Florida House right now that will expand to cover threats of force), meaning from the stand point of the law, if you are justified in defending yourself, you are legally in better shape to draw and fire than draw and threaten. Although I would probably take that risk, rather than fire into a full theater.
The x39 magwell doesn’t accept Tapco mags at all. Finicky with surplus mags.
Mercy, I’m in love again. Third time today!
I’d love to see a search option for gear, especially optics.
My comment about having it coming was completely out of line.
It’s just so frustrating going to the movies or really any public experience that is completely ruined by rude people. I simply don’t go to movies anymore, or many restaurants either. People’s manners have just gotten so coarse that my indignation got the better of me with that comment.
When I made my commitment to carrying a very wise instructor really drove home the point to me that carrying was an awesome responsibility and first and foremost de-escalation is the primary response if it all possible. Meaning, don’t go places where trouble can find you. It’s just too bad a person can’t even enjoy a movie in a theatre anymore without being surrounded by knuckleheads.
clarified.
I want a side-by-side with a Silencerco Sparrow, because I’ve still not seen anything that I like more than that in the .22LR market. Their Warlock is a close second. Gain an inch in length but lose half the weight (6.4 oz down to 3 oz) due to more aluminum than steel.
So does this mean I can now legally carry while hiking on land owned by the Corps of Engineers?
Appears to only be a preliminary injunction until the trial and appeals go through.
That’s great! We’ve got plenty of Corp property around N. TX.
He must have been getting senile and thought he was active duty LEO, those guys get away with murder all the time.
Don’t scare me TTAG
Quoting my smartphones email notification heading :
“BREAKING: TORI NONAKA DY-”
I’m used to thinking “oh SHIT” after seeing BREAKING in a TTAG subject line, but whoa.That was creepy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5-IGyGzNtg
They need cell phone jammers in all Theatre’s, I would’nt have shot that clown I would have just broke this face
I’m thrilled to see Heller “getting legs.”
It seems that way, doesn’t it? What’s a more basic and necessary right than being legally armed while camping in some degree of The Wild?
Pretty cool Idea. I like how they changed the magwell rather than have to find AR 7.62×39 mags. If how many guns you owned due to space were an issue, this would be neat. Or if your wife said you can only have one gun and you really didn’t want to make her mad.
Breaking: I just realized that I have reached the age where I am old enough to be her dad.
This exact bag is sold under many different names and most cost significantly less. I found one with the M&P logo at my local Big5 for around $60. My biggest gripe on this bag is that it does not fit long guns, anything longer than a short barreled shotgun (18″ barrel) will not fit.
I’d buy that for a dollar! Because I would need to rest of my money to afford ammo.
Reload.
With that smile she looks like Reese Witherspoon. And while I am not religious, a beautiful girl who shoots is proof that there is a god. Who teases me.
338 Lapua out of a lightweight rifle, you can keep that.
Wow, beautius maximus.
Who?
What a bizarre incident. And it just goes to show you that crazy shit can happen anywhere. People need to treat others with respect and not be a dick, because you never know who is packing what.
And…she’s still a looker. What a shocker.
I would be really excited if this applied nationwide. However, I believe it only applies to the State of Idaho since the proceedings are taking place in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho.
The entire Memorandum, Decision, and Order is an interesting read. It indirectly highlights the corruption in other court decisions.
It’s breaking news when one of them loves it so much that she uses her own money to buy one. Otherwise, not so much.
Oh, wait. This is just an excuse to post eye candy, isn’t it. My bad.
This is great.
One of my favorite camping spots is on corps of engineer land on the John Day river.
Was always a bit nervous over there.
Someone up above commented about coarse manners in today’s society. I agree.
You see, I only lash out in impotent rage on the net where I’m safe from physical danger. In real life I’m courteous to everyone and patient with other people’s imperfections, quirks, hang ups, whatever you want to call them.
😛
I think displaying manners and courtesy are important because it demonstrates that you were raised correctly, and it’s an important social component to fostering good interactions between basically normal people. Key thing being basically normal.
I too lament the coarseness and the seeming feverish race to the bottom of the social ladder to see who can be the most obnoxious, rude, gross and genitally pierced in public.
I don’t mean to come across as a grumpy old guy (heh) but sometimes I see things going on in public that used to be the behavior of post apocalyptic scum only portrayed in cheesy Eighties action movies.
Next thing you know people will be getting Mohawks and wrist crossbows.
During the previews too. Damn. What a pointless argument. Give the old asshole the death penalty for all I care.
It seems that Heller and McDonald’s common sense interpretation of 2A is having the impact that the Supreme Court thought it would. Bravo.
$100?!?!?!?!?!
You all miss the point, This is a competition pistol to go heads up with STI. About time someone did that. Go Springfield.
China already makes, or did make, a copy of the AR-15 rifle called the CQ. They look like an A1 model with a pistol grip taken off a revolver.
As I said earlier, the supposed grenade launcher is actually a Cobray flare launcher and is often used by Hollywood as a standin for the genuine M203. If you have only seen these in Predator and many other action films, you won’t know the difference.
Look it up on imfdb.org.
my friend has an AR-50…awesome rifle. slapped many a steel with it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaplW8iY5s8
Command+R, Command+R, Command+R, Command+R,….All night long.
MOAR!
Finally something for me. I’m really tired of tacticool stuff.
Now if they would only jum into the bullpup trend and re-release a new and improved bullpup.
Funny you mentioned your nightmare about not being able to pull the trigger in your review. We must share the same nightmare, I have had that same nightmare where, as hard as I tried, I couldn’t pull the trigger.
I hope that never happens in real life. I was thinking about going for a different tactical rifle than your standard AR, but after reading this review, I don’t think the Tavor is for me. I was hoping to find a cool .223/5.56 bull pup…
I’m sure you’ve tried the Steyr AUG; I’ll have to read your review on that one.
Why do I get the feeling the R-51s are going to be later than February getting in the stores and online sites?
Here’s Jerry Miculek with one!
Meh. I understand it’s fun, but I don’t have much desire to own full auto weapons or faux auto weapons.
What the hell is going on out there?…..no ammo….no highly anticipated guns. Is there a different range day for “real” journalists that you weren’t invited to?
That cinches the matter; you’re not at the real SHOT Show. You’ve been bamboozled. Without any free booze.
Here’s your aggressive marketing campaign. For a child killing device.
Targeting, you guessed it, “the children”. Tm.
http://img1.targetimg1.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/13/04/13044480.jpg
So, it’s a Barrett MRAD except with SAKO rollmarked on?
I suppose they could mean video games?? But that’s not marketing guns… That’s marketing games using guns because kids like guns.
How do you sell “assault rifles” in an aggressive way?
Is that like walking into a store and having the salesman follow you screaming “BUY THIS GODDAMN RIFLE!”
[response to nonexistent post withdrawn]
After reading and re-reading that press release, I have distilled what would be an otherwise long rant about “buzzword bingo” into but one question:
What is “tactical aluminum” and why do I need it?
I have the Crimson Trace LG-449 Laserguard for my Ruger SR9c and it is sweet. I originally carried in a Remora and had no issues slipping the nose laser in there, but did have issues with the soft sides of the Remora allowing hard objects to depress the magazine release if I bumped into anything.
I went to my LGS and in less than two weeks BladeTech had produced a custom IWB holster specific to the Ruger/Crimson Trace combo. No sweat. I am currently waiting for a new holster ordered a few days ago from Alien Holsters and they have the SR9c laser style ready to ship, no custom ordering necessary.
The LaserGuard was easy to mount, easy to zero, and works like a charm, and its hard to tell it didn’t come as part of the pistol. If you are in the market for a laser you cannot go wrong with this combination.
When you get one to test. Please please test it with a .22lr conversion.
Who cares about her hair? What weapon is she using? This is TTAG isn’t it?
I gotta be a guest on his show. . . For the topic of pro-2A lawyers. Who are also Black. There are more than two of us.
Ordered one December 2nd. Still waiting….
We need to ban MOVIE THEATERS! It’s obvious isn’t it? No movie theaters, no shootings!
The only person who calls me “Commander” is my wife.
Just as I suspected, she’s got a fat @ss. I’ll stick with the Bodyguard. Wake me when the 9mm version is announced.
Hold on. Black, petite and a fat @ss. The brothers (me included) are gonna love this one
A long slide PPQ with the stock trigger would be the perfect USPSA production piece, IMO.
OMG! The 1911 has spawned a little baby!
Frack Freedom Group.
Interesting, I have a Chech V24 8mm mauser which was sporterized. It recoils about the same as a 30-30 which was surprising to me. The action is still smooth as silk and holds decent groups freehand.