On yesterday’s “Hagee Hotline,” Matthew Hagee interviewed commentator Wendy Patrick about last week’s shooting at a movie theater in Louisiana and what can be done to combat the problem of mass shootings in America.
One might expect any such conversation to touch upon issues like gun control or improved mental health screening and treatment, but those issues did not come up in this interview. Instead, Patrick lamented that mass shootings have put “a serious damper” on the prospect of going to the movies and so she offered up some excellent ways for people to still enjoy this activity while remaining vigilant about the very real possibility that they might wind up in the center of another violent incident.
“The silver screen is one of our most treasured activities,” Patrick said. “From date night to family night, from soda pop to popcorn, everyone loves the movie theater experience. Unfortunately, as you point out, the spike in movie theater shootings in recent years has put a serious damper on this cherished pastime. Now when we go out to local movie theaters, we’re not just excited, we’re anxious. It’s hard to enjoy the thrill of an adventure movie when you fear the violence on the screen in front of you might be recreated in the aisle next to you.”
Among Patrick’s key recommendations is to always attend the movies with friends because there is “safety in numbers” and you will have multiple “sets of eyes and ears” to use to spot potential shooters, who most likely will be there alone. On top of that, people should also consider going to matinee showings because they are less crowded and therefore less like to be targets for mass shooters.
Once in the theater, Patrick recommends that people do “a practice run” on how to escape the theater if someone starts shooting and to make note of good places to hide within the theater in case escape is impossible.
Most importantly, “keep a low profile,” she said, “and I mean that literally; it is harder to shoot people who have ducked down beneath the seats because the shooter can’t see you.”
