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Citizens oppose Regal search policy (8/20/2015 – 596 citizens, 1331 responses)
By Jacquelyn Benson
As a response to shooting incidents in several movie theaters in the United States, Regal Entertainment Group announced it would institute a policy of searching the bags of patrons for concealed firearms. In light of the announcement, the Live Free or Die Alliance (LDFA) asked Facebook members to weigh in, posing the question, “Do you support or oppose the Regal cinemas policy of searching bags for firearms?”
A total of 81% of respondents answered the question directly or with a concurrence, and of these a 64% majority opposed Regal Cinema’s firearms search policy, with 36% in favor. Of the remaining respondents, only 17% opted to discuss the subject in broader terms while 2% commented on unrelated issues. In sum, 596 citizens participated in the discussion with a total of 1331 responses.
Those opposed to the new policy saw it as an ineffective security measure and an invasion of privacy. “If I have to get searched just to see a movie, it's not worth seeing a movie,” one commenter said. “The fact that a possible mass shooter is likely to face armed resistance from members of an audience is one of the reasons there hasn't been a movie shooting in New Hampshire,” a respondent argued. “Obviously this policy is a ploy to catch or deter people from smuggling in their own candy. If it was about stopping guns from coming in, they would have armed security with metal detectors,” another pointed out.
Those in favor defended the right of businesses to set such policies. “A private business that does not allow guns on their premises is well within their rights,” one commenter wrote. “Sports venues have been doing it for years without any incidents or complaints,” a respondent argued.
“As a former theater manager for many years, I support this,” a citizen stated.
Respondents who opted not to give a yes or no response, instead addressing their remarks to broader issues, asked, “What is the need for a backpack in a theatre anyway?” Others noted, “Are we safe anywhere?”
The nonprofit, nonpartisan LFDA takes no position on this or any issue, as this report is presented as a summary of citizen testimony. As New Hampshire’s Virtual Town Hall, the LFDA community, numbering over 79,000, provides objective information on state issues, promotes the civil exchange of opinions, and communicates views to elected officials. To learn more about this issue or the LFDA, visit www.LFDA.org.
Jacquelyn Benson is an Editor with the Live Free or Die Alliance.
Live Free or Die Alliance
www.livefreeordiealliance.org
Source: http://townhall.livefreeordiealliance.org/xn/detail/4091641:BlogPost:75117
