Posted on 08/23/2014 12:59:09 PM PDT by chessplayer
"The owner of the Aurora movie theater that was the site of a deadly 2012 attack could have reasonably enough foreseen the danger of such an attack to be held liable for it, a federal judge ruled Friday."
"Noting the grim history of mass shootings and mass killings that have occurred in more recent times, U.S. District Court Judge R. Brooke Jackson ruled that Cinemark owner of the Century Aurora 16 theater could have predicted that movie patrons might be targeted for an attack. Jacksons ruling allows 20 lawsuits filed by survivors of the attack or relatives of those killed to proceed toward trial."
While I would think that such a lawsuit is simply absurd, even in our overly litigious society, its worth noting that the judge has not ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, but simply allowed the case to be heard. Still, the idea that simply because the theater owner should be aware that mass shootings had taken place in other (non-theater) crowded buildings they should be liable for the actions of madmen boggles the mind.
When you go to see a movie at the theater, you as a patron have a few reasonable expectations. You should be able to expect that the movie will be shown with clear video and audio. The snacks should not prove to be toxic. The building under normal weather conditions should not fall down on your head. If any of those conditions fall though, youd probably have a right to demand compensation from the owners. But if your loss comes from the actions of a madman (Perhaps the defining feature of crazy people is that theyre unpredictable) then you are placing the blame on the owners for something as far out of their control as if a tornado hit the theater out of a clear sky.
LOL....that’s more leftist insanity...
By the way, this has zero to do with the “no Guns sign”.
i know that... what i am saying is they should not have gone to that theater--knowing that they could not protect themselves if there were a mass shooting...
It sure as h*ll boggles MY mind.
Madness; absolute madness.
I agree with you completely. The theater is responsible for its policy that denies its patrons the ability to defend themselves.
Hopefully a few big settlements (and thus a boost in liability insurance rates) will help convince business owners
Uh,,,they will pass on those increased rates to the customers through increased prices for products. But sue em anyway. The theater owner was as guilty of murdering those people as the actual shooter. Shouldn’t the theater owner be spending life in prison?
In this case the business made a conscious decision to prevent someone from reasonably being able to protect themselves in a situation they clearly considered. Frankly, laws placing liability on those businesses should be pursued. It is a logical counterbalance against Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.
These businesses are consciously considering the question, if a shooter starts shooting up the place, do we want any of our patrons to be armed?
By declaring know, they have unreasonably put their patrons in more danger.
When the owner explicitly refuses to allow customers in his establishment to protect themselves, then he is shouldering the responsibility in their stead, and he failed to protect them.
And if he wasn’t permitted to allow guns because of federal, state, or local laws? Then they’re still screwed. They’re in a no-win situation. So we need big, surly, rent-a-cops with metal detectors and rubber gloves in every theater ready to feel up the crotch of every customer and prowling the aisles? How about supermarkets, public parks, mega-churches?
This is a socialist/communist wet dream.
The last line of that sign states: unless you have a carry permit. The UCA (Utah Code Annotated) reference is to the concealed firearms act, 53-5-701.
That sign must be on a theatre in Utah?
Popcorn and soda will break your wallet. It will be too cold. Floor will be sticky. Someone will be making noise. If a cellphone is used, management will ask them to leave. If everyone but the bad guy obeys the "No Weapons" sign, then you will be at the mercy of the bad guy.
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