i'm doing a home video for my family who doesn't live here in the US and i dunno if malls allow video cameras.

Yes. In the main areas of a mall, you probably won't have a problem. In certain stores, there might be rules about them, though. Especially if they are selling copyrighted materials like books or movies or music.

y do u want a camara in the mall any ways?

It depends on the mall's rules, and their secerity staff's attitude. If it's just home movies you're shooting, like if you were on vacation and filming a mall you visited as part of your vacation, you're probably OK. But, if you're shooting a music video, or something of a commercial nature, or a student film, or anything where you are directing people and staging scenes, then you may have to get permission.