May not be as far fetched as one could imagine. Take a look at what the Louisiana Legislature passed in 2011. I guess it is actual law now although I've not looked up the current status.
Law Bans Cash for Second Hand Transactions
Cold hard cash. It's good everywhere you go, right? You can use it to pay for anything.
But that's not the case here in Louisiana now. It's a law that was passed during this year's busy legislative session.
House bill 195 basically says those who buy and sell second hand goods cannot use cash to make those transactions, and it flew so far under the radar most businesses don't even know about it.
"We're gonna lose a lot of business," says Danny Guidry, who owns the Pioneer Trading Post in Lafayette. He deals in buying and selling unique second hand items.
"We don't want this cash transaction to be taken away from us. It's an everyday transaction," Guidry explains.
Guidry says, "I think everyone in this business once they find out about it. They're will definitely be a lot of uproar."
The law states those who buy or sell second hand goods are prohibited from using cash. State representative Rickey Hardy co-authored the bill.
Hardy says, "they give a check or a cashiers money order, or electronic one of those three mechanisms is used."
Hardy says the bill is targeted at criminals who steal anything from copper to televisions, and sell them for a quick buck. Having a paper trail will make it easier for law enforcement.
end snip
Oh my good Lord.
How can something like this be enforced.
I get the history and exchange of stolen goods, like everything the government touches - unintended results.
The way the law reads I’d either have to set up a charge/debt card capability or take a check.
Yea, like I am having a garage sale and do either of these.
Thanks for the link, I will take a look.
(A bit off the subject, I saw a show the other day called “Storage Wars”, its about selling foreclosed storage units. All transactions must be cash. And gasoline, many stations give a $0.05 per gallon discount, guess that will stop.)
Well, thanks again.