The Boston City Council is considering legislation that would punish cell phone owners who fail to turn off or silence their phones at theaters.

City Councilor John Tobin proposed an ordinance last week that would allow ushers to confiscate any cell phone, pager or electronic device that rings during a public performance, and possibly fine its owner $50.

The legislation is modeled after a similar bill passed in New York City, saying the bill ‘puts the law on the side of management and theater workers,’ and was intended to protect patrons from distractions.

‘A lot of these [theater] tickets are expensive,’ Tobin said, and theatergoers often have to wait months or years to acquire them. He added that the proposed legislation ‘protects the cultural offerings of the city.’

Tobin cited the 38-5 vote by which the similar measure passed in New York, and said he expected the measure to pass here as well.

Ted Mahoney, general manager of the AMC Fenway 13, said he hopes the legislation passes.

‘It’s about time,’ he said. Cell phones have been ‘a major problem, increasing all the time, it seems,’ as more and more people own them and leave them on when they enter the theater. He said that in some cases, fights have nearly broken out at his theater over ringing cell phones.

‘You’d think people would be courteous, but no,’ he said, adding that the proposed legislation is ‘a step in the right direction.’

Teresa Febo, manager of public relations and marketing at the Wang Center in downtown Boston, was not as excited about the idea, but supported its motivations.

‘We certainly favor things that would encourage people to stop having cell phones ring during a performance,’ she said, noting that the performers often are as distracted by the rings as other patrons. She said she was not sure if the Wang Center would support the actual measure, and would need to see the final version.

According to Febo, the Wang Center would prefer to enact measures that would prevent customers from having phones ring in the first place, instead of punishing them afterward.

Both Febo and Mahoney said their theaters make announcements before shows in which they ask audience members to turn off or silence their phones and pagers.

BU students have mixed opinions on the measure.

Tyler St. Andre, a College of Arts and Sciences freshman, said while he shuts his phone off when he goes to the movies and other shows, he does not like the proposed legislation.

‘I don’t think anyone should have the right to confiscate anything from anyone,’ he said.

CAS sophomore Mary Fava called the proposed bill ‘ridiculous.’

‘What are they going to do,’ she asked, ‘point a flashlight at you if they suspect you?’

Fava said she might support a bill that let ushers confiscate phones if people actually answered them, but as far as phones that ring during performances, ‘it’s annoying, but everyone forgets at least once.’

Matt Otto, a freshman theater sound design major in the College of Fine Arts, said though he agreed with fining patrons whose cell phones ring during performances, confiscating the phones would be ‘a bit harsh.’

Jeff Wattenhofer, a sophomore in the College of Communication, said he supports the legislation.

‘The proliferation of cell phones is evil,’ he said. ‘All of the sudden, it’s a necessity to be available at any time.’