U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- Personally, I wasn’t aware of the rumor reported by the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners, but given the average person’s perception of a ‘masked gunman,’ it’s understandable that people could be confused on the matter. Thank goodness it’s not because it would be incredibly unjust and de-facto ban carry in areas where masks are mandated. The folks at MCRGO give the full breakdown below.
This past week, the ‘face mask while carrying’ topic has popped up on social media for a third time after making the rounds in early May and late June. MCRGO has had more inquiries on this issue than any other in recent months. And they keep coming.
Michigan Compiled Laws 750.396 says, “A person who intentionally conceals his or her identity by wearing a mask or other device covering his or her face for the purpose of facilitating the commission of a crime is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both.”
Consequently, a person legally carrying a firearm while wearing a face mask who is not facilitating the commission of a crime is not subject to the legal penalties for wearing a face mask in Michigan. While the false information spreading online appears to be targeting mask requirements, it has the unfortunate effect of deterring people from carrying outside the home for self-defense.
About MCRGO:
The Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners is a non-profit, non-partisan organization. Formed from just eight people in 1996, we now have thousands of members and numerous affiliated clubs across the state. We’re growing larger and more effective every day.Our mission statement is: “Promoting safe use and ownership of firearms through education, litigation, and legislation.”
For more information, visit their website.
It seems there is a lingering risk of being charged for wearing a mask when the definition of a “crime” is constantly being re-defind. Does violation of Whitmer’s mask order rise to that possibility? Does the propensity of DAs to charge a concealed carry with brandishing or other when used for self defense give rise to facilitating a crime? The opportunity for abuse seems to be significant.
Wearing a mask in Oklahoma is only illegal if it is used (or is intended to be used) in a crime. Wearing a mask for legitimate purposes – medical reasons, painting, construction work, etc – is absolutely not illegal (IS perfectly legal) in Oklahoma. The two laws (masks, and constitutional carry of firearms) are unrelated and independent of each other.
If everybody is wearing a mask, you can’t tell the good guys from the bad guys. Betcha robberies go up in States and places where you can’t carry, Like Maryland, New Jersey, NYC, Hawaii, etc.
Not illegal in South Carolina. “Accordingly, there is no South Carolina Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) law that prohibits a South Carolina CWP holder from wearing a mask to comply with a city or a county health ordinance or to help stop the spread of COVID-19 while carrying a concealed weapon in South Carolina,” the SLED statement said. There’s nothing on the books stopping someone with a Concealed Weapons Permit from packing heat while wearing a mask, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said in a statement to WYFF. “There is no prohibition to my knowledge that we can find that… Read more »
So what about the other 49 States ?
Yeah, to hell with the masks.