Hollywood claims it has nothing to do with the "batman shooter"

[no1_vern]

He claims he was the "Joker".

By Daniel Macht and Emily Feldman

A graduate student masquerading as Batman's nemesis the Joker opened fire in a Colorado movie theater during a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" killing 12 and injuring another 59 early Friday, authorities said.

James Holmes -- who was wearing body armor and a gas mask when taken into custody outside the theater in Aurora, Colo. -- told police he was the Joker and warned them that his nearby apartment was rigged with explosives, but said little else before refusing to cooperate, NBC News reported.

I say:

MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO. Do you disagree?

Isn't it our society, and video/visual depictions of violence and not the free access to weapons that is the real problem?

[pickel]

Isn't it our society, and video/visual depictions of violence and not the free access to weapons that is the real problem?

Don't forget the amplification by the use of alcohol and drugs that , significantly, increase the level of aggression by those who over indulge.

[tony_j15]

MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO. Do you disagree?

We've had this discussion numerous times. You can replace "movie" with video games, comics, literature, cults, etc. The method of the narrative is irrelevant.

Isn't it our society, and video/visual depictions of violence and not the free access to weapons that is the real problem?

Hardly. The kid was able to purchase four weapons, ammunition, body armor, etc. But let's follow your thesis through to its conclusion: if free access to weapons isn't at least part of the problem, then the other major option would be the complete dissolution of the First Amendment and the creation of all sorts of regulatory boards to insure that narrative in all forms would be "safe" for public consumption.
Is this what you want?

The truth lies in the middle, of course. That's why movies carry MPAA restrictions and games have E-M ratings. Where we are failing is on the weapons side and on the psychological health side.

[Mikev2.0]

Nope. Can't blame Hollywood -- or music -- as people will do horrible things regardless of the media they absorb.

Can't even blame weapons. Then again, why does someone need an AR-15? You know, the same gun that ends up being purchased illegally by street gang bangers and Mexican cartels.

Media report in Richmond, CA found weapons being purchased legally in Texas were being shopped around on the black market for ridiculously low prices.