New Jersey Republican State Senator Jon Bramnick has introduced a bill that would prohibit the wearing of masks in public under certain conditions. The legislation is designed to curb the use of masks by individuals seeking to conceal their identity while committing crimes. Bramnick emphasized that this is the first draft of the bill and acknowledged that it will undergo several amendments before it is likely to pass.
The bill would make it a petty disorderly persons offense for individuals to gather in public with their faces obscured, with exceptions for specific events such as Halloween, religious ceremonies, and medical purposes. Bramnick clarified that the intention is to provide law enforcement with a tool to address criminal activity rather than target legitimate mask wearers.
NJ Mask Ban?
The proposal follows the passage of similar legislation in Nassau County, New York, aimed at increasing public safety by allowing police to demand that individuals suspected of criminal activity remove masks. That law is already facing legal challenges, with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) raising concerns about potential violations of the right to anonymity during protests.
Bramnick anticipates pushback from civil rights groups but remains confident that the bill will advance when the New Jersey Legislature reconvenes.
What do you think of the proposed bill to ban wearing masks in public? Let us know in the comments.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.