One Expensive Fashion Statement

[GamezRule]

There is a law pending in the Oklahoma legislature that would ban the wearing of any clothing that "conceals identity." Basically, the stated intent of the law is to ban the wear of any article of clothing that is intentionally concealing "[the wearer's] identity in a public place by means of a robe, mask, or other disguise."

There is an existing law in Oklahoma that makes it illegal to conceal one's identity while committing a crime--a law that was enacted in the 1920's to help curb KKK violence. This law, however, clearly and blatantly violates freedom of expression.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/offbe...uld-soon-cost-you-a-dollar500-fine/ar-BBhuoeE
http://kfor.com/2015/01/02/wearing-your-hoodie-in-public-could-soon-cost-you-up-to-a-500-fine/

Is there any way that this law could reasonably be interpreted as Constitutional?

 

[JollyRoger]

Unpatriotic Okies:

 

[onejayhawk]

You can see their faces just fine.

J

 

[Lillefix]

Give the exact wording in the constitution and let's analyze it and see if it can be interpreted in such a way that a person should be allowed to cover his or her face in public.

 

[JollyRoger]

 

[Lillefix]

Public nudity is illegal many places isn't it? That's just as much an expression as wearing clothes that conceal your face.

 

[JollyRoger]

Can the government mandate public nudity? After all, why stop at just the face for identification purposes?

 

[JollyRoger]

 

[warpus]

Are you trying to tell me you don't identify people by looking at their noses? That's how I tell people apart. In the back I can see a guy trying to hide his nose - definitely an unconstitutional and unpatriotic act in progress.

 

[gay_Aleks]

Are you trying to tell me you don't identify people by looking at their noses? That's how I tell people apart. In the back I can see a guy trying to hide his nose - definitely an unconstitutional and unpatriotic act in progress.

Maybe he has rhinitis and doesn't want to ruin the picture? Nothing quite like some snot in the background can destroy an otherwise threatening photo.

 

[Zack]

Are you trying to tell me you don't identify people by looking at their noses? That's how I tell people apart. In the back I can see a guy trying to hide his nose - definitely an unconstitutional and unpatriotic act in progress.

If you look closely, he's reading a pocket-sized version of the Communist Manifesto.

 

[Archbob]

There is an existing law in Oklahoma that makes it illegal to conceal one's identity while committing a crime

Isn't committing a crime illegal regardless if you are trying to conceal your identity or not?

 

[Zack]

Isn't committing a crime illegal regardless if you are trying to conceal your identity or not?

I'm no lawyer, but I presume it adds an additional charge.

 

[Quintillus]

I'm not a lawyer either, but I don't think there's a harsher sentence for robbing a bank while wearing a ski mask versus just robbing a bank.

I see this as conflicting with aspects of sharia law, and thus interfering with freedom of religion. It seems like this could be challenged as such by someone who usually wears a burqa for religious reasons, for example.

Edit: Oh, I see it does have exemptions for things such as religious reasons, Halloween parties, masquerade parties, and minstrel troupes. Remind me to always be part of a minstrel troupe while traveling through Oklahoma!

 

[Zack]

I'm not a lawyer either, but I don't think there's a harsher sentence for robbing a bank while wearing a ski mask versus just robbing a bank.

Well, it depends on how well the ski mask matches your shirt.

 

[Zkribbler]

The bill's author, state Sen. Don Barrington (R), said that the goal is simply to help deter crime.

“The intent of Senate Bill 13 is to make businesses and public places safer by ensuring that people cannot conceal their identities for the purpose of crime or harassment. ... Similar language has been in Oklahoma statutes for decades and numerous other states have similar laws in place," he said. "Oklahoma businesses want state leaders to be responsive to their safety concerns, and this is one way we can provide protection.”

The bill's author admits there's already a law on the books which addresses crime...so why pass a redundant bill? The GOP is once again solving non-existing problems.

 

[Cutlass]

The bill's author admits there's already a law on the books which addresses crime...so why pass a redundant bill? The GOP is once again solving non-existing problems.

Not at all. It would prohibit traditional Muslim women's clothes. Don't think they didn't think of that.

 

[Kyriakos]

That will start making people breathe heavily

 

[Darkflight]

I'm not a lawyer either, but I don't think there's a harsher sentence for robbing a bank while wearing a ski mask versus just robbing a bank.

I see this as conflicting with aspects of sharia law, and thus interfering with freedom of religion. It seems like this could be challenged as such by someone who usually wears a burqa for religious reasons, for example.

Edit: Oh, I see it does have exemptions for things such as religious reasons, Halloween parties, masquerade parties, and minstrel troupes. Remind me to always be part of a minstrel troupe while traveling through Oklahoma!

I can't be arsed to read it myself, but if it has exemptions like that the law just sounds completly redundant.

Does anyone have a good idea of what this law is supposed to accomplish.

 

[Thedrin]

Not at all. It would prohibit traditional Muslim women's clothes. Don't think they didn't think of that.

"The bill's language includes exemptions for religious garments"