What's your reaction - if any - to the possible banning of burqas in France?

The French parliament is currently considering banning the wearing of burqas in public buildings in France. (They may still be allowed in the streets.) I believe their reasoning is to limit the public expression of religion; they have previously banned the wearing of head scarves, Jewish stars (and presumably yarmulkes) and crosses in schools. They also say it is to further women’s rights and for security reasons; who knows what may be lurkin’ in a burqa? I am very conflicted about this; as a feminist, I certainly want to unyoke women from their chains, but I also believe in freedom of cultural and religious expression. This seems very coercive and repressive to me. What do you think?