So now the police are also the fashion police?
 

I heard on the radio today that Atlanta (Georgia) is considering outlawing baggy pants. Meaning, if you walk down the street, and you happen to be wearing baggy pants, and a police officer sees you... you're going to be written a ticket for it. What's funny is that I thought this was America... home of the free? But not free to wear baggy pants, apparently. I figure if they are so bored, that there's no crime to watch for, and they have to start making laws for fashion, outlaw plumber crack instead... At least that could count as indecent exposure. But baggy pants? "Oh no, your pants don't fit! I am so offended by your alternative fashion sense that I must call for help! Police! Police help! This person is wearing pants in a size other than their own!"

Here's what threw me... I heard this and I started thinking "No way... that'll never happen... No one would vote for it. It's too ridiculous..." But then they had people call in and asked what they think of this new possible law. And almost every caller agreed with it and said they wished they would outlaw it where they live too... What!?! Where do we draw the line? How much freedom are we going to take away from ourselves? Is this what America wants? Why not just implement a dress code for the entire country, while we're at it... Or better yet uniforms, right? Because Heaven forbid you wear what you want to. Baggy pants are not harming people... They aren't "exposing" them self... Not endangering others... What harm is it doing to society, that we have to outlaw it? Don't the Atlanta police have more important things to watch out for than baggy pants? Have they run out of criminals to arrest?

So, what do you think of this whole ordeal? Do you or someone you know wear baggy pants? Would you like or support this law? Any other related views can be discussed too... Please don't copy and paste this bunch of questions and answer them like some sort of survey though... that's so annoying >.>;

That is utterly ridiculous and I think if that law is actually passed the ACLU will be all over it and there is no way that could stand up in court.

There are decency laws - but baggy pants would not violate the decency law since there is nothing inappropriate exposed - I'm sure there was some reason that people wanted to pass this law - but whatever it is does not trump personal freedom and civil liberties and if a law like this was allowed to pass and stay it would be just the start of a very slippery slope.

Ugg. ..very frustrating how people don't want their own personal freedoms taken away but are fine with taking them away form 'other' people 'for their own good'.

The reasoning here may be because people believe that you can hide weapons in there, like the whole thing with the trench coats. It's sad, because I'm fond of both trench coats and baggy pants, and they are now associated with violence. Also, it's kind of dumb, because people don't realize that there are blades that you could hide in your hat, the back pocket of your jeans, or your shoes (I know this from my brother, who's obsessed with weapons and martial arts).

That's still very stupid, though. I mean, wearing baggy pants don't cause people harm, and they usually don't reveal anything, so why ban them? XD

I can see how people may think you can hide weapons in baggy pants... But you can hide them in hoodies, jackets, purses, backpacks and anything else, pretty much too. So it still doesn't really seem right.

neur0mancer - Is it really indecent exposer for a guy's boxers to be hanging out? I mean I always thought of boxers as just a pair of shorts guys like to wear under their pants ^.^; They aren't tight like briefs or anything....

As `Aine Chievious said, it probably has to do with concealed weapons, and as mangacatgirl said, there are tons of other places people can conceal weapons.

I think I get where the police are coming from, but I still think it's stupid.

That has got to be one of the most retarded laws I have ever heard in my entire life. I can understand if the pants are hanging down to your knees and showing off your underpants, which none of us are at all interested in, but if they're just a size or so larger than you should wear, what's the big deal? Some men just like to have room for their balls to breathe. o_O; Its not like we're seeing anything we REALLY shouldn't, unless that person is underwearphobic.

As mentioned, it’s because people as paranoid about weapons being hid in them. In some malls you can’t wear hoodies or hats that hide your face from security cameras. It’s one thing to look out of public safety, but in my opinion telling people what to wear and what not to wear is going a bit too far.

Ahuh, is the crime rate really that low in Atlanta that they can worry about that kind of thing? ^^;; Honestly, thats pretty stupid. I think it's a generational thing though. Younger generations see nothing wrong with it but I think some older folks see it as indecent and lacking personal respect and respect for others. I personally see nothing wrong with it but hey...

o.o; *cringe*

But yeah, if they have to make something illegal like that... make plumber's crack illegal, because that's really disturbing ^.^;

patchy - Hm... Where's the line drawn between the younger and older generations? What I mean is, what age groups?

As for me... I don't have a problem with baggy pants. Sometimes people have to choose between baggy pants or high waters simply because of their body design... It's not fair to them. My son, for example has to wear baggy pants because he has very long legs and a very lean waist line... Pants that fit his waist (And yes, we buy him "slims") expose his entire ankles... I know a lot of people that have that problem.

That's ridiculous. Why don't they ban purses and backpacks while they're at it, if it's weapons they're after? If they want to stop people from concealing weapons, they're not going to do it by outlawing baggy pants. The criminals will just find another way to do it, and it will then be unfair to the people who like baggy pants because of the style.

Speaking of Atlanta, though, I know someone who got shot on vacation there and almost died. Well, technically she did, but she was revived quickly. The guy was wearing a mask- are they outlawing masks too? It prevents victims from identifying their attacker, which is as bad as baggy pants, since it allows the criminal to go out and harm more individuals.

Well I imagine it would be harder for someone with baggy pants to get away... Especially if the pants are especially baggy... So even if they concealed a weapon, their escape wouldn't be very... quick ^.^;

I hope your friend is doing better.

By baggy do they mean "pants around their ankles if they don't hold them" or "a little big".

Because I have NEVER had a pair of pants that fits me. A 7 is too small for me and a 9 is too big (I opt for the 9). Same with ladies sizes (though I sometimes find 8s/10s that fit, that's mostly in skirts).

In my school due to weapons we have:

No backpacks (on the bus is ok, but not once you can get to your locker(
No large purses
No baggy pants
No coats (gotta stay in the locker)
And they tend to get pissy if you have a huge sweatshirt on

I was actually wondering that as well... What exactly is defined as "illegally baggy"? Where's the cut off? One size? Two sizes? Are wide leg jeans considered baggy pants? I mean they are designed to be that way... No one's legs are that wide ^.^; I'd rather see a guy with big baggy jeans tripping down the street holding his pants legs up so he doesn't fall over, than a girl with a pair of booty shorts with "TOO HOT" written across the rear and a halter top, any day. But again that's personal preference ^.^; And if you're going to start making certain fashions illegal... why not start with the ones that are borderline indecent exposer already anyway? ^.^;

I agree! It's definitely a violation of rights. I mean America is supposed to be someplace where people can be free to be them self. But we are constantly taking those rights away from each other. It's turning into more of a "Americans are free to be exactly how 'I' say they should be... But they're free to be that way... Just so long as they don't choose to be some other way instead".

Makes me think of animal farm -

all animals are equal - but some are more equal than others

It's the same way in our society - all people are equal - but some are more equal then others.

Wow... OK if they went that far I think I would build a raft and float to some new country ^.^; Or just go to Canada... Yeah, that seems much easier than the raft idea...