A better analogy would be a balaclava. Lots of legitimate uses but it's uncommon to see people wearing them day to day and is very popular with criminals. But we don't imagine we could ban balaclavas to prevent crime.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Here is the relevant section from our current laws: https://danskelove.dk/straffeloven/134b