Masks are illegal [*] in Virginia
Q: While reading an article in The Roanoke Times, I noticed that a young man was charged with wearing a mask in public. Granted, he was [allegedly] attempting to commit robbery while he was wearing the mask, but it brought up a question: If it is illegal to wear a mask in public, what about Halloween?
-- Kathleen Ryland, Blacksburg
A: Yes, mask-wearing is illegal according to Virginia law. In fact, it's a felony!
But there are several reasons why police aren't out on Halloween night rounding up wagonloads of Spidermen and Dora the Explorers.
First of all, Virginia's law only applies to people over 16. Second, there is a built-in exception for "wearing traditional holiday costumes." There are a couple of other exceptions in the law as well, for things such as safety masks, theatrical costumes and medically necessary masks.
[link|http://www.crimesolvers.com/most-wanted/details.php?image_id=375|Here's an example].
IMHO, except in rare circumstances (like traditional holidays), people shouldn't cover their faces in public. Yes, the state shouldn't have to get involved in this aspect of normal behavior in society, but in this case the interests of society come first.
People should keep the trappings of their religious practices private, or in places like churches. [link|http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=6&version=31|Matthew Chapter 6] covers good religious practice pretty well for me.
My $0.02.
Cheers,
Scott.
