Pearl Theater 'safety policy' causes stir

BONNERS FERRY — On Feb. 15, The Pearl Theater has voiced their safety policy to the public and has many people at odds with the decision.

The safety policy is specific to the prohibition of weaponry on the theater’s premises.

According to The Pearl Theater’s website, it states, “The Board of the Pearl Theater recently adopted a safety policy prohibiting weapons on premises. The action was taken to ensure the safety of performers and guests, and to reduce liability. The action was taken upon advice from the Pearl’s insurance carrier, and after consultation with local law enforcement and legal counsel.”

The Pearl Theater Board’s online statement also contained this comment by Bonners Ferry Police Chief Brian Zimmerman who said, “The Pearl Theater is a private entity and it is the Board’s right to make that decision. I support their choice. They serve alcohol, and in my experience, alcohol and weapons are never a good mix.”

Finally, the theater board’s statement ended with, “In addition to public safety, many of the performers The Pearl brings to Bonners Ferry have requested to perform in a weapons free venue. The Pearl also hosts several events in association with Boundary County School District 101, which has a zero-tolerance weapons policy at all its facilities, specifically for student safety.”

The structure, built in 1892, originally housed the first Catholic Church in Bonners Ferry. In 2011, Carolyn Testa bought the building with an ambition to redesign the church into The Pearl Theater.

The Testa redesigned church, now theater, was purchased by The Pearl Theater Inc. a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization.

Nonprofit organizations are said to have a right to make a safety policy such as this.

A request for further statement from Jessica Tingley, the president of The Pearl Theater Inc., regarding who exactly the performers were who may have requested to perform in a weapons-free venue was not answered as of press time.

“As far as The Pearl Theater goes, I am with [Police Chief] Brian Zimmerman,” said Gary Leonard Committee Chair of the 501(c)3 organization, Bob Manley’s Friends of the NRA. “They have the right to exclude weapons.”

Leonard, a former fire chief, emergency medical technician, Multi-State Search and Rescue team member, Level III Sworn Deputy member of Sheriff’s Posse, and manager and investigator, suggests that those in opposition think about taking their business elsewhere.

“It is pure and simple, a political statement,” explained Leonard regarding the Pearl’s safety policy. “If people don’t want to go there, they don’t have to go there.”

“Their decision, giving the politics of the area they are in, is very foolish,” said longtime Boundary County resident, Jeff Avery. “North Idaho is a very conservative and pro Second Amendment region, and infringement on the right to keep and bear arms always draws a strong reaction, regardless of the source.”

As of April 2, 2019, House Bill 206, Constitutional Carry Expansion, was signed into law by Gov. Brad Little. During 2019, Idahoans also realized another Second Amendment victory with passing House Bill 199 that expanded Constitutional Carry to other weapons.

In addition to passing two bills in favor of concealed and open carry issues, Idahoans also worked toward defeating the Senate Joint Resolution No. 101 (SJR101) and House Bill 70 (HB70); whereas, HB70 attempted to place restrictions on rights to gun ownership and SJR101, otherwise known as Marsy’s Law, where the language of the proposed law proved too ambiguous.

Given the voter turnout and history of voting in Idaho, there appears to be a large amount of Second Amendment supporters within the state who come out to defend moves in which would inhibit this constitutional right.

“This decision may well run them out of business,” Avery said. “I’m hoping the board comes to their senses and can see the damage they are doing to the Pearl.”

“I’ve lived all over the world, have you felt safer in any other town?” said Eustice Klokwerker of Boundary County. “When you walk into Super 1, everyone is carrying; safest place on Earth.”

“I wouldn’t touch a venue where I couldn’t carry and where law abiding citizens can’t carry,” said Klokwerker, a musician by trade. “I don’t like being a sitting duck.”

As of this date, no information can be found on any gun or weapons related incidents that may have happened within the Pearl Theater.

“I am not aware of any gun-related calls there at all, the entire time I’ve lived here in Boundary County,” said Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer. “I haven’t checked our records, but personally, I am not aware of any calls there.”

“There’s a clear pattern of evil doers targeting ‘gun free’ zones because they aren’t likely to meet with any resistance. When seconds count, and police are minutes away, lots of people can be harmed,” Avery said. “Armed, law abiding citizens prevent, or reduce, the impacts of crime everyday, millions of times a year.”

“I would love to take my kids to the theater, but I will not support any business that tries to restrict my right to conceal carry,” said Bonners Ferry resident, Ron Hanner. “If they reverse their decision, I will gladly take my family there.”

The Pearl Theater has helped past local talent gain a strong footing in varied entertainment genres throughout its years. The Shook Twins headlined the venue when they were getting started, as well as talented Bonners Ferry locals who have gone on to professional screenwriting, acting and vocalist success.

The theater’s website lists that their objective, “is to foster and develop the artistic talents and skills or community members of all ages, to serve as an outreach to encourage and facilitate social activities, and to nurture excellence in the performing arts through the presentation of performing artists from the local area as well as national and international arenas.”

The Pearl Theater can be contacted at 208-610-2846, by email at info@thepearltheater.org or on Facebook at The Pearl Theater.

The Panhandle Friends of the NRA can be contacted at 208-946-9579, by email at gary.leonard.nra@gmail.com or on the web at friendsofnra.org.