efernand wrote:
Is it really unreasonable/unconstitutional to have a law that says people must be reasonably recognizable/identifiable in public places?
I'm generally inclined to say that it is, in fact, unreasonable/unconstitutional. I have absolutely no right to know who a person is if I see them on the street; I can't go up and demand to know who they are, see their ID, etc. So what right do I have to be able to see/identify a person's face if I wanted to, and they have it covered?
Invariably people have a fear response to, "well then how will I identify them if they go on a killing spree!? (or somesuch crime)", to which you have to wonder if that person is really going to be deterred by a law that doesn't allow them to cover their face while murdering people? Would they really figure, "yeah, I'm up for robbing a bank, but I guess I can't wear a mask anymore?"
Yes, there are very specific times where we have agreed that being able to identify a person is important. Airport security may need an option to identify a person before allowing them on an airplane; that does not mean I, as another passenger, have the right to ID every person that is on the plane with me. If I don't feel comfortable not having the ability to violate the privacy of other passengers, that is my own problem and I am free to seek alternatives.
I suspect the law will eventually be struck down, perhaps as part of a federal challenge.