In the town of Bloomsburg, PA, you have a hard time selling anyone’s old stuff. There is an ordinance that requires antique dealers to report their business transactions to the local police. I kid you not. Your business records must be submitted to the police, or you’re OUT.
Last I heard (early this year) it included secondhand goods, including metals, coins; there were provisions for photographing the items, a waiting period, and more. Look it up if you want to be stunned speechless.
The purpose of such laws is to prevent the sale of stolen goods.
Same approach statewide in LA based upon a law that was passed in 2011. I assume it is in effect and functioning but I haven't researched it any further.
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.
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