It may be winter in Oklahoma, but you’d better watch out as it could soon be a public offence with a fine of $500 to wear a hoodie while out and about, no matter how cold it is.
According to a report in The Daily Mail , the idea of banning hoodies in Oklahoma is not a new one as there is technically a law banning hoods in the state in place since the 1920’s.
The exisiting law was originally drafted to help combat crimes by the Klu-Klux-Klan, but many people think a new amendment of banning hoodies in public could open doors to a bigger problem.
As one avid hoodie wearer told reporters, “I’ve been wearing hoodies since I was a little kid,” said Eduar Carreon, and he is, of course, not alone as there are many people who like to wear hoodies and not just because they want to rob a bank or mug someone.
As attorney James Siderias said , “If somebody is out running, especially in this kind of weather, where it`s cold, drizzly, you might be inclined to wear your hoodie at Lake Hefner. 21 OS 1301 has always made it a crime to wear a hoodie or some sort of disguise during the commission of criminal offense.”
But in a proposal to amend the law, it could now become more than just “technically” illegal to wear a hood or hoodie as Siderias points out.
“I think this is a violation of an individual’s right to chose what they want to wear as long as it doesn’t violate the realm of public decency and moral values, and I think this could be very problematic.”
But Senator Don Barrington, who authored the proposed amendment, says the intention is to help victims of robberies. As the Senator said,
“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. Oklahoma businesses want state leaders to be responsive to their safety concerns, and this is one way we can provide protection.”
At the same time, Tracy Wehagen stated, “They might have personal issues for keeping them on; they might have a bad hair day or maybe they have cancer or they’re losing their hair. You just don’t know why.”
So what’s your take on this matter? Is the proposed Oklahoma hoodie ban an infringement of rights or a good idea? Feel free to weigh in on the matter in the comments feed below.
