Metal Detectors in Movie Theater Lobbies?

Earlier today in the Nashville, Tennessee suburb of Antioch, a gunman also armed with pepper spray, a hatchet, and carrying two backpacks opened fire at a movie theater.

After spraying two patrons with the pepper spray and superficially injuring a third with the hatchet, the suspect was shot and killed by Nashville Metro police.

One of the backpacks was detonated. The other was a hoax.

This shooting coupled with the deadly rampages in Lafayette, Louisiana two weeks ago and in Aurora, Colorado three years ago could very easily create an alarming aura surrounding movie theaters.

Ironically, it was just yesterday that a study was published that revealed theater audiences would like to see metal detectors in lobbies, although they wouldn't want ticket prices to escalate.

Not sure you can have it both ways, but I understand the concern and that particular desire.

Now, having said this, the study also showed that 75% of the movie-goers polled still feel safe in a theater, but would still like something a little extra in the way of security.

Thing is, the assailants in question, none of them, entered through lobbies. I know our Malco Cinema 16 doesn't permit backpacks, and there's no way you can get an arsenal like what these guys had into a theater lobby without being noticed.

So a stepping up of security at all possible entrances and exits may be the way to go, short of the metal detectors.

I mean, if the detectors are green-lit (and my personal opinion is they won't be), the money's going to have to come from somewhere.

We'll see what happens.