ATLANTA -- Baggy pants that show boxer shorts or thongs would be illegal under a proposed amendment to Atlanta's indecency laws.

The amendment, sponsored by Atlanta city councilman C.T. Martin, states that sagging pants are an "epidemic" that is becoming a "major concern" around the country.

Martin said he doesn't want young people thinking that being half-dressed is the way to go.

But not everyone supports Martin's idea.

"I feel it's sad the city has to come in and take control of our kids when we can't," said Atlanta resident Joseph Scott.

American Civil Liberties Union Georgia president Debbie Seagraves said the proposal is too vague and would unfairly target African-Americans.

"We're going to do that in a society that has already criminalized young black youth to the point (that) we already have hundreds of black men in prison," Seagraves said.

The proposed ordinance would also bar women from showing the strap of a thong beneath their pants.

The proposal states that "the indecent exposure of his or her undergarments" would be unlawful in a public place. It would go in the same portion of the city code that outlaws sex in public.

Martin said the penalty would be a fine.

Martin said he plans to hold public hearings and vet the proposal through churches, civil rights groups and neighborhood organizations. The proposal will get its first public airing next Tuesday in the City Council's Public Safety Committee.