Python script works from IDE but not from terminal

Question

The following python code works fine from Mu. When run from terminal the following error message is received.

"vlcpulse audio output error: PulseAudio server connection failure: Connection refused"

Is this some sort of python permissions problem?

import vlc
import time
import threading as th
from gpiozero import Button, LED
from signal import pause

buttons = [Button(2), Button(3), Button(4)]
LEDS = [LED(16), LED(21), LED(20)]

path = '/media/media/EMPTY/'
sounds = ['audiofileA.mp3', 'audiofileB.mp3', 'audiofileC.mp3']
Play = [False, False, False]
VOLUME = 100

def debounce(p):
    Play[p] = False
    LEDS[p].off()

def player(p):
    LEDS[p].on()
    print("Button " + str(p + 1) + " Pressed")
    global Play
    if(Play[p] == False):
        print("Playing " + str(p + 1))
        Play[p] = True
        player = vlc.MediaPlayer(path + sounds[p])
        vlc.libvlc_audio_set_volume(player, VOLUME)
        player.stop()
        player.play()
        S = th.Timer(0.5, debounce, [p])
        S.start()
    else:
        return

def button1_pressed():
    player(0)

buttons[0].when_pressed = button1_pressed

def button2_pressed():
    player(1)

buttons[1].when_pressed = button2_pressed

def button3_pressed():
    player(2)

buttons[2].when_pressed = button3_pressed

while True:
    continue