ATLANTA — An Atlanta city councilman has proposed new legislation that would make it illegal to wear anything that covers someone's face.
Councilman Antonio Lewis proposed the legislation toward the end of Monday's council meeting as a walk-in legislation. Multiple council members cosigned the legislation.
The proposal includes ski masks, barrier face coverings, hoods or anything that might conceal someone's identity.
According to the proposed legislation, the city has introduced the proposed law to "maintain the public and safety."
If those who are wearing a ski mask or other face covering are caught with one, if the legislation gets approved, then it will be considered a misdemeanor offense.
The proposed legislation also stated after the COVID-19 pandemic, city leaders saw an uptick in crime with mask wearing. It also stated that individuals who wear ski masks prevented law enforcement officials from doing their jobs.
It also states that face coverings for public health reasons, like surgical masks, H1N1 masks, and others, are exceptional to the rule. The rule will not apply to holiday costumes, sporting gear, celebrations and/or gas masks for emergency situations and drills.
Georgia already has a state code in place that makes it a misdemeanor offense to where a mask concealing the identity of a person. Gov. Brian Kemp suspended it during the pandemic.
Since then, it has been re-written to allow people who wear masks for medical reasons.
Lewis' ordinance has since been referred to the Public Safety Committee, which will meet on Monday, Dec. 11, to discuss the ordinance.
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