Prohibición de usar máscaras en lugares públicos en Virginia

Explicación Simple

En Virginia, si tienes más de 16 años, no puedes usar una máscara para ocultar tu cara en público sin permiso. Hay algunas excepciones, como en fiestas o si necesitas una máscara por razones de salud.

Es como si en una fiesta de disfraces tuvieras que pedir permiso al dueño de la casa para entrar con una máscara. No es que esté mal, pero necesitas la aprobación para asegurarte de que todos estén cómodos.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan, de 17 años, decide ir a un centro comercial con una máscara de payaso para ocultar su identidad. Antes de hacerlo, debería pedir permiso al dueño del local, o de lo contrario, podría meterse en problemas con la ley.

Penalidades

La violación de esta ley se considera un delito grave de Clase 6.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

Va. Code § 18.2-422 - Prohibition of wearing of masks in certain places; exceptions. It shall be unlawful for any person over 16 years of age to, with the intent to conceal his identity, wear any mask, hood or other device whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, to be or appear in any public place, or upon any private property in this Commonwealth without first having obtained from the owner or tenant thereof consent to do so in writing. However, the provisions of this section shall not apply to persons (i) wearing traditional holiday costumes; (ii) engaged in professions, trades, employment or other activities and wearing protective masks which are deemed necessary for the physical safety of the wearer or other persons; (iii) engaged in any bona fide theatrical production or masquerade ball; or (iv) wearing a mask, hood or other device for bona fide medical reasons upon (a) the advice of a licensed physician or osteopath and carrying on his person an affidavit from the physician or osteopath specifying the medical necessity for wearing the device and the date on which the wearing of the device will no longer be necessary and providing a brief description of the device, or (b) the declaration of a disaster or state of emergency by the Governor in response to a public health emergency where the emergency declaration expressly waives this section, defines the mask appropriate for the emergency, and provides for the duration of the waiver. The violation of any provisions of this section is a Class 6 felony. Code 1950, §§ 18.1-364, 18.1-367; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1986, c. 19; 2010, cc. 262 , 420 ; 2014, c. 167 .