What’s next, Groucho Marx mustaches?

According to this post, Washington state may soon ban the wearing of hats and sunglasses in banks. The FBI is working with state’s legislature to make sure none of these items will be worn in banks while citizens conduct business — and no hood pulled over your head, either. Apparently, these are typicall used as disguises for bank robbers.

“Unfortunately from the camera placement we don’t have a face shot. The cameras are placed way too high and all we see is the top of the construction helmet,” said Larry Carr, FBI special agent.

Banks like Washington Mutual, the article states, already request customers to take off these items before walking in (I’ve never experienced this personally.)

Here’s the thing: I have no ideological problem with a private company requiring this sort of rule as a safety measure. As a consumer, sure, I may pick to bank with a less fascistic policy on clothing. Then again, I may be drawn to the bank as a safer venue to do business. But this speaks to the difference between annoyinf government coercion and annoying market choices. I will always pick the latter.

Well, as long as the latter exists.