You Said It, Middletown: Banning Backpacks in Public Strikes a Chord

After the Boston Marathon bombings April 15, people couldn't help but notice the large number of folks who carry black backpacks.

Schoolchildren wear them five days a week to and from school, as do college students. They're a necessity for city folk who walk daily to work and on errands, and for those (like me) who have abandoned a purse long ago, and replaced it with a messenger/computer bag until common sense (and a nagging neck injury) made a backpack a necessity.

When Middletown Patch published a query article Tuesday asking "Should Backpacks Be Banned From All Public Events?" we received a deluge of answers yay and nay.

We can only surmise that backpackers are passionate about their choice of urban carry-on and others are equally as adamant about placing national security ahead of personal accessories — at least when it comes to entering public events and buildings.

Here are a smattering of comments from our readers and a question posed on my Facebook page. Join the conversation in the comments area. We want to know what you think.

Lisa: A backpack is just a more ergonomic purse, really. Unless they ban women's purses, then no. When my back cant handle a one-shoulder bag, I go for the backpack...it could be seen as discrimination against the disabled, or against men, to ban them. Or against those with a lot to carry...or maybe I'm half asleep & sound crazy...but those are my thoughts. Oh, I missed the medically necessary part- but how does one prove that? Do they mean only oxygen tanks or just folks in pain? Why is there a difference between a handbag and a backpack, though? Backpacks are less accessible when on your person, I'd think they pose less if a threat because of that...I mean, have they seen the size of some women's purses? People who wanna blow stuff up will find other ways if they really want to, so why punish everyone else?
Pro Death: Another dumb idea like the Democrats gun control legislation, make the majority pay the price for the actions of a few.
Gail: If their sole purpose was to bomb the race, the backpack made it easier for them to place it.
My Opinion: Writers for the press that bring up STUPID ideas like this are only contributing to the additional stupid laws that will follow! Gail, I thought that they were banned after 9/11 at sports events. Laws that protect us sound good to me.
Pro Death: Gail, banning backpacks isn't gonna protect anyone, you really think this would have foiled the Boston bombers plans? I don't.
James: How about a messenger bag?
Claudia: If we are all safer, I say yes.
Thomas: As soon as the CT legislature under the "Emergency Certification" outlaws pressure cookers!
Sharon: would a large pocketbook be allowed?
William: When we change our daily lives they win. So no let people keep their backpacks
Dawn: Ok, are my underwear safe to wear into a public building? Potentially, they could be made from plastic explosives.
Fred: Banning "Public Places" would be the best bet...... whatever it takes. How big a bomb can fit in a car? We REALLY need to ban cars, which are deadly even when they're not being used by Terrorismists to transport explosives. As a matter of fact, if improperly operated, a car IS a bomb!
Darrell: If you take my backpack away I'm just going to wear giant pants with lots of pockets. Haha.
Fred: Never mind pockets, you could could hide a pretty good sized device in your pants without anything appearing conspicuous....
Mike: As a lifetime member of the National Backpack Association, you'll take my pack when you pry it from my cold, dead shoulder. While were at it, why don't we make all luggage, purses, pockets, clothing from see-through plastic? So no one can conceal any potential weapons. Only a guilty person would try to hide anything, right?
Michael: Yes; they should be banned from public events... or at least inspected and a special tag put on them so authorities can see they've been inspected. (Same policy for any large purse or bag.) If we can find a way to enjoy our public events and still be safe - then WE win - not the disillusioned self-important religious nut jobs.
Fred: Or the professional assassins who typically use disaffected nut jobs as "fall guys" or [as Lee "Harvey" Oswald referred to himself] "a patsy". Remember; not even the FBI can protect you from the CIA, and NOBODY can keep you safe from the BATFE or, "IRS" as they are also known......
Ed: I think all people should be banned from public events and public places
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