I can speculate that if even one person had a simple green laser pointer the shooter would have thought it was a gun with a laser.
Then again mine does have one.
I have refrained from posting any “what ifs” until now, but I felt it was worth it.
Conceal carry? Think about the latest LED/green laser lights.
How about refusing to enter businesses which refuse you the right to protect your life? They aren't doing you a favor by taking your money for their products, Don't support them. Let somebody too stupid to say "no" take the hits.
Patronize Denny's -- they out and out support concealed carry in their restaurants.
And yes, a laser-equipped handgun sounds like a good bet in a dark place, used with skill.
Your actions would be dictated by your location in relation to the shooter. That said, I have a Lasermax attached to my .380. I doubt I would turned it on in this situation. If you did, you would be giving up your biggest advantage for stopping the shooter, concealment.
If there was a distance, with only 7 .380 rounds, I'd expend one as quickly and as safely as possible at the shooter, to let him know that their was someone else in the theater with a weapon and gunning for him. If that didn't cause him pause and to run, I would still have the advantage of him not knowing my exact location and better able to try and take him down with the remaining six rounds. The longer he is distracted and trying to locate you, the more folks able to get out and better chance you have of help arriving.
If close, I'd commit to a surprise attack.