2 theater chains ban lightsabers from 'Star Wars' screenings

FOX 5 NEWS - Tough luck for any budding Jedi or diehard Darth Vader fan. Two major movie chains have announced bans on lightsabers and masks in preparation for screenings of the newest installment of the "Star Wars" franchise.

While costumes are allowed, Cinemark says it's banning both lightsabers and masks from its theaters. AMC took a softer stance opting only to ban lightsabers.

AMC and Cinemark say the see the bans as security measures in light of several shootings that have happened at movie theaters across the country, including one in 2012 at a screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" and again this summer at the movie "Trainwreck."

Dan Reeser is with the "Star Wars" fan group New York Jedi. He says even though dressing up is a huge part of the experience, he understands that times have changed.

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" opens December 18.