It depends on what you mean by 'ban'. In the country where I live (Denmark), they are very much banned, unless you can demonstrate your legitimate current use case for them. In particular, you are not allowed to wear them in public places where people gather or gather in groups. And 'beating up cops anonymously' is not an approved use case :-) The rule as I understand it, also covers [sic] extreme religious dress rules for women.

Here is the relevant section from our current laws: https://danskelove.dk/straffeloven/134b

I used to wear one as a kid in the UK in the winter. They weren't invented for crime.

> They weren't invented for crime.

Not literally, but there was some criminally bad warfare going on: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Balaclava

Knitwear is often a cause for conflict[0]!

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Jersey

I read the article and I don't see his it's connected. Maybe I missed something?

Jersey is another term for knitwear in English

I thought in the US "Jersey" refers to t-shirts worn during American football or something like that? At least I have seen people saying "these are my Jerseys" and then pointing to their t-shirts worn during having played American football.

it is also that.

it’s is both slang for sports uniform (usually shirt) and also is a type of fabric material super common in clothing [0]

[0] https://fabricwholesaledirect.com/collections/jersey-knit-fa...

Thanks. I never thought the term "Jersey" ever referred to knitwear, to be honest.

T-shirts are knit

What I am saying is that I have seen the term "knitwear" everywhere, and when I am looking for "knitwear", I am not looking for t-shirts or "jerseys", but those sweatshirts that look like this (or the like): https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1181/5370/files/knits_1_48....

May I ask what it has to do with the mask?

Since the British troops weren't properly kitted out for the cold weather lots of them were sent over balaclavas which had been knitted at home.

Thanks, interesting.

Nothing. Balaclava is a location.

Don’t forget about the Charge of the Light Brigade, commanded by the Earl of Cardigan. After the war he became famous and people copied the knit jumper he wore, naming it the cardigan. That’s two knit garments from the same battle.

Canon to the right of them, canon to the left of them canon in front of them volleyed and thundered. Stormed at with shot and shell boldly they rode and well, into the jaws of death into the mouth of hell rode the six hundred.

I wear one when I ride my motorcycle. Keeps my neck warm, and keeps the cold air off my face. And helps keep the dust off my face when I'm off road. And adds an extra layer of protection. They are also nice when you borrow someone else's helmet. The GoKart places near me give them out to help keep rental helmets from getting nasty.

Can you wear one for fashion?

No.

https://politi.dk/lov-og-information/tildaekningsforbud

(Trigger warning: danish)

Are protests considered a legitimate use? If not, then that seems pretty problematic.

In Sweden at leasts, balaclavas and other wearables "preventing identification" is specifically illegal _at_ protests. From what I remember the danish case is similar.

I wear one for taking photos of reflective objects, particularly car interiors. Sure minimizes retouching my stupid face out of reflections. Black cloth gloves, too.

Gathering in groups in public? Thats wild, thats been banned since many years in many Dutch major cities. (“samenscholingsverbod”)

Actually, the Irish government considered exactly that! I'm not sure if they moved forward with it though.

And Southend in England tried to do the same (but failed...)

[delayed]

But if the police asks you to remove your balaclava, you can only do so.