“Metal detectors would impede commerce,” he says. “You will have to tell your customers to come a half-hour early to wait in a security line.” Dorn recommends theaters instead hire more security personnel and better train employees “how to be aware of suspicious activity and spot a weapon.” Todd McGhee, another security consultant, believes armed security details are the best course of action. The cost of the equipment is only about $5,000, but personnel to run a proper checkpoint can cost $250,000 a year in smaller markets and $1 million in big cities. Security consultant Michael Dorn does not believe metal detectors are a practical solution. Modern Family co-creator Steve Levitan, echoing many on social media, tweeted: “Theater shooter reportedly bought the gun legally despite history of mental illness. Instead, most say gun control is the real problem (concealed weapons are allowed in Lafayette), and Hollywood figures have become more willing to state opinions on that issue. But many insiders privately cite increased costs and say adding metal detectors would detract from the moviegoing experience.

Why the reluctance to take major steps? Tellingly, neither the MPAA, National Association of Theatre Owners chief John Fithian nor any of the major exhibitors had commented publicly on theater safety at press time.

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