If you are trying to keep a low profile then you should probably not wield weapons in public. At the very least someone will pull you to the side for a SIN validation and also checking that you have proper licences (while moving in public you should probably conceal them or get them from the van just before you think you really need them).
If you are trying to keep a low profile then you should probably also not cast or sustain active spells in public. At the very least someone will pull you to the side for a SIN validation and also checking that you have proper licences (while moving in public you should probably mask them or only sustain them just before you think you really need them)
If you let your magician walk around unhindered while sustaining active unmasked spells 24/7 then you should probably also let your street samurai walk around unhindered with drawn weapons 24/7.
Many establishments have MAD scanners to detect weapons. Even if you conceal your weapons you might still get caught in the scanner as you walk in, and this will probably draw attention to yourself (at places like this you might want to consider leaving your weapons in the van, or at the very least be prepared to take some tests in order to smuggle in your weapon).
Many establishments also have wards or other mana barriers. Even if you mask your spells they might still cause astral intersection as you walk in, and this will probably also draw attention to yourself (at places like this you might want to consider dropping the spell, or at the very least be prepared to take some tests in order to sneak your spell through the barrier).
If you let your magician in with masked spells (without even take a test) then you should probably also let your street samurai in with concealed firearms (without even taking a test).
...then how does that make sense to offer quickening in the core rule book with no way to 'sheath' the weapon".
Unlike quickening (which require initiation which cannot be taken during chargen) the book offer you Focused Concentration directly at chargen which (unlike quickening) don't require karma each time you sustain a spell and can now (unlike previous edition) sustain one spell per rank (they actually buffed this quality considerably and the end-result is that it is now a lot easier to drop spells when you no longer need to sustain them and also to switch between spells you wish to sustain right now).
But yes, one of the balancing factors of quickening is that you will 'lit up' on the astral plane. Magicians in previous edition that had a 'perfect storm'-mix of increase attribute spells typically had to think twice before approaching potential wards or when moving around in regulated public areas. At some point they also typically got the extended masking metamagic.
Fluff about the fact that magic really
is regulated:
SR5 p. 277 Magic - Introduction
While magicians and adepts have caught the public’s imagination, they’ve also gotten the attention of the world’s various governments and corporate rule-makers, leading to a whole host of regulations covering the use of magic. Anyone with magic ability is supposed to list the fact that they are Awakened on their SINs, and generally they need to possess a license to practice magic as well as a permit for possession of “magic-related paraphernalia.” Guilds have to register to be legal, which means they have to prove that all their members are legal magicians. Without registration, they’re subject to being raided at any time by Awakened cops on astral patrol, looking for any gathering of Awakened people that may not be authorized. The authorities seem to think that any unapproved discussion between magicians will eventually lead to chaos and/or destruction. They are not entirely wrong.My challenge is the assertion that any sustained spell is considered the equivalent of a drawn weapon.
Spellcasting (which sustaining a spell is a result from) is a restricted (not legal) activity (same as possession of firearm is also restricted). If you walk around with active sustained spells (or drawn firearms) in regulated public areas you will be (at the very least) required to to present a license for it (fake or otherwise).
SR6 p. 237 Fake License
For those who can’t or won’t go through the standard legal channels, fake licenses are available for all kinds of restricted items and activities. ... Each type of item/ activity permission requires a separate license. Things that require licenses include ... possession of a firearm, concealed carry of a firearm (separate license), spellcasting ...