Cinema Chain Announces New Bag Check Policy

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- We are used to opening up our bags for inspections at sports stadiums and airports but you can add a new location to that list.

Jessica Kartalija has more.

Following a string of violent attacks at movie theaters, the nation's largest chain, Regal Cinemas, is adding a bag check at the box office---including at theaters here in Maryland.

The warnings are posted front and center on the box office: backpacks and bags of any kind are subject to inspection.

The security crackdown is in effect at all Regal Cinemas---a response to a spate of deadly theater shootings, most recently at a theater in Louisiana, where a man opened fire and killed two women.

Regal Entertainment Group posted a statement on its website: "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."

Most moviegoers we spoke with said safety outweighs everything.

"Make sure that everybody has no guns is, I think, important," said Paul Hu.

There has been some backlash but Callie Miller said it's an invasion of privacy she's willing to deal with.

"I have a baby and I would feel much safer for my baby knowing when she's going to the movies, it's like one less thing to worry about," Miller said.

But other moviegoers said it's a sad sign of the times.

"This is America. Things are just kind of messed up right now," said Jim Turner.

The bag check policy will take place at nearly 600 theaters nationwide. There are several Regal Cinemas in Maryland.

While none of the shootings occurred in a Regal Theater, the company is putting security checks in place to make sure all patrons are safe.