Missouri Movie Theater Hires Gunman For Publicity Stunt

[catlover79]

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/oddba...ty-stunt-video


By Lauren Schiff, Fri, May 10, 2013

At the opening of “Iron Man 3” at a Capital 8 movie theater in Jefferson City, Mo., a man entered in full-blown tactile gear, yielding a gun.

Bob Wilkins, the theater’s manager, had planned the ‘scene of the crime’ months in advance. He continues to insist that the terrifying publicity stunt was actually incredibly entertaining, noting that only "a few" patrons were upset. He told ABC that he did not regret pulling the stunt in the least. "My job is to entertain people," Wilkins says, holding strong to his opinion that only "a few" patrons were upset.

Attendees were not nearly so amused. "We're just getting into the car when I spotted a man in full assault gear, carrying what appeared to be a modified M-4 and 9 mm on his side," said John Molock, an army war veteran who was present during the stunt. He says the experience triggered his post traumatic stress disorder.

The police received a number of calls reporting a gunman walking into the theater. Police reportedly thought they were responding to an “active shooter situation.” Local police Captain Doug Shoemaker explains that panic is quite an understandable reaction: "Everything was in place, it's the opening night of a superhero movie, it's somebody walking in all-dark clothes, everything pointed to bad things about to happen. There’s really no good that can come of that,” he says.

Local moviegoers are especially offended due to the scene’s similarity to the much-too-recent movie theater shootings in Aurora, Co. and Newtown, Conn. “The whole country is talking about gun control because of shootings at theaters and schools,” says Molock. Shoemaker agrees, saying “"It's an unfortunate lack of wisdom in this particular judgement,” and that it “hopefully will never occur again."

Wilkins still stands by his decision, even saying that he’d pull the stunt all over again if he had the chance.

Check out the video here.

[catlover79]

This is the STUPIDEST, most INSENSITIVE thing I have heard in a long time. The theater management should be fined/disciplined in some way for this incident. I honestly have no words to express my feelings of shock, disgust and anger. Well, actually I do, but TJ and Janice would ban me for life if I used them here.

[retrofan05]

Honestly, some people just have no sense anymore.

[catlover79]

It doesn't even seem to phase that idiot manager. STUPID!!!

[shotzette]

Originally Posted by catlover79

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/oddba...ty-stunt-video


By Lauren Schiff, Fri, May 10, 2013

At the opening of “Iron Man 3” at a Capital 8 movie theater in Jefferson City, Mo., a man entered in full-blown tactile gear, yielding a gun.

Bob Wilkins, the theater’s manager, had planned the ‘scene of the crime’ months in advance. He continues to insist that the terrifying publicity stunt was actually incredibly entertaining, noting that only "a few" patrons were upset. He told ABC that he did not regret pulling the stunt in the least. "My job is to entertain people," Wilkins says, holding strong to his opinion that only "a few" patrons were upset.

Attendees were not nearly so amused. "We're just getting into the car when I spotted a man in full assault gear, carrying what appeared to be a modified M-4 and 9 mm on his side," said John Molock, an army war veteran who was present during the stunt. He says the experience triggered his post traumatic stress disorder.

The police received a number of calls reporting a gunman walking into the theater. Police reportedly thought they were responding to an “active shooter situation.” Local police Captain Doug Shoemaker explains that panic is quite an understandable reaction: "Everything was in place, it's the opening night of a superhero movie, it's somebody walking in all-dark clothes, everything pointed to bad things about to happen. There’s really no good that can come of that,” he says.

Local moviegoers are especially offended due to the scene’s similarity to the much-too-recent movie theater shootings in Aurora, Co. and Newtown, Conn. “The whole country is talking about gun control because of shootings at theaters and schools,” says Molock. Shoemaker agrees, saying “"It's an unfortunate lack of wisdom in this particular judgement,” and that it “hopefully will never occur again."

Wilkins still stands by his decision, even saying that he’d pull the stunt all over again if he had the chance.

Check out the video here.

What a moron! What if someone in the theater had a concealed carry permit and tried to defend his/herself? Yeah, that would have been *great* publicity... :rollseyes"

BTW, does IronMan 3 *need* publicity? I think that Marvel has it covered.

[catlover79]

You're absolutely right. That movie was going to be HUGE no matter what. I can imagine that the folks who worked on it aren't thrilled about this.

For that idiot manager - methinks someone needs some serious sensitivity training!!!!

[Marvo301]

It's absolutely inconceivable that anyone would consider that promotion acceptable in this time and place considering all the horrible gun crimes in that last few years. I think someone should lose their job over this!!

[Janice Johnson]

I would say that this had "bad idea" written all over it, but it's needless to say. Scratch that. It had bad idea written all over it.

[catlover79]

The "actor" was just as dumb - what if an undercover cop had been there with a concealed weapon and taken him out?

I wonder how much he was paid for this stunt. Plus, that idiot manager continues to show no remorse at all.

[Vahan]

I'd be shocked if any of those people who were okay with this were 2nd amendment supporters.

I can only hope not.

[catlover79]

In any case, it seems the only person "amused" by this was the idiot manager - who last I heard, still has his job.

[AB]

Wow, talk about "Poor Judgement", and where was his common sense?

[70s show watcher]

what a moron

[DVDLover]

I do not see anything wrong with it? It is not like he went into the same theater where the shooting occurred in Colorado

[Zoneboy]

Originally Posted by DVDLover

I do not see anything wrong with it? It is not like he went into the same theater where the shooting occurred in Colorado

What difference does that make? Anyone walking into a theater like that carrying what appears to be a real weapon is only asking for trouble and the location has nothing to do with it.