Regal Cinemas Wants to Search Your Purse or Backpack
Russ Chastain 08.21.15
People are often misguided. They want good things: safety, security, comfort. But they often ignore common sense in the pursuit of those things.
Apparently, the folks running Regal Cinemas are of that same mindset.
The company already bans guns in their theaters, according to a 2013 letter to Second Amendment Check.
In a recent move in response to violent crimes inside movie theaters, they have announced a plan to search any bag being carried into their theaters. You know, purses, backpacks, and the like. Just to make sure people can’t fight back if they’re attacked.
Great move, Regal. If you’re looking to lose business, you’re on the right track. But you’ll sleep better at night because violent crimes just never happen in gun-free zones, right?
Oh, wait. Yeah they do. All the time.
It just makes sense that peaceable folks should be armed just as well as the bad guys. Banning guns is not the answer. Every thinking person knows this, but Regal’s leaders don’t seem to be among our ranks.
But even they know their policy is bad. Heck, they say as much in the statement on their website.
Security issues have become a daily part of our lives in America. Regal Entertainment Group wants our customers and staff to feel comfortable and safe when visiting or working in our theatres. To ensure the safety of our guests and employees, backpacks and bags of any kind are subject to inspection prior to admission. 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.
(emphasis added)
They’re not yet frisking folks, and Concealed Nation suggests that if you wish to give your business to Regal, you carry your firearm on your person rather than in a separate bag. Which is yet another reason why this policy is no good–anyone could fill his pockets with guns and ammo and stroll on in.
Personally, I won’t be spending any of my money there.