“I think [the policy] is a little excessive” because of its encroachment on people’s privacy, said Tifany Johnson as she prepared to see a movie at the theater on Thursday.
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“It’s pretty sad when you’re afraid to do a simple thing with your family”, said Cindy Wilson, of Pulaski. We acknowledge that this procedure can cause some inconvenience and that it is not without flaws, but hope these are minor in comparison to increased safety.
“Security issues have become a daily part of our lives in America”, the Regal website reads.
“I don’t really feel unsafe when I go to the movies right now, but I wouldn’t be opposed to it”, said Kim Kountouras, of Larchmont.
There’s no easy way to talk about the traumatic instances of violence that have occurred in movie theaters over the past two years. The Transportation Security Administration’s screening strategy has become standard for most travelers.
Some people who went to the movies at Regal Palmetto Grand Stadium said the process wasn’t bad.
If you carry a bag into the movies, prepare to be checked before entering.
Regal Cinemas, the nation’s largest theater chain, based in Knoxville, Tenn., has instituted a security procedure to check bags and backpacks in the wake of recent theaters shootings.
In Bucks County, Regal has theaters in Warrington, Bensalem, and Doylestown.
But opponents of the policy lashed out on the Regal Cinemas Facebook page.
That attack was followed a week later by an incident in Nashville, Tennessee, during which a man with a hatchet and a pellet gun unleashed pepper spray during a showing of “Mad Max: Fury Road” at a Carmike Cinemas Inc multiplex. In July, a gunman opened fire during a screening of Trainwreck in Louisiana, killing two people and ending his own life. One theater in The Sunshine State even posted a sign letting guests know that all bags and backpacks are subject to a search before anyone can get inside to fight over seats and buy popcorn.
This is obviously not the last we’ve heard about the situation, especially considering most other major theater chains had no comment when asked about their security measures and any upgrades that may have occurred.
Invited guests to the premiere of “Straight Outta Compton” in Los Angeles had to pass through barricades and metal detectors before picking up their tickets, the AP reported.
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Regal Entertainment Group did not respond to a request for comment.
