Louisiana bans using cash in sales of second-hand goods

[Donnachaidh]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/10/20/louisiana-bans-using-cash-to-buy-second-hand-goods/

In a new law that could put every trading post, Goodwill, flea market, garage sale and Craigslist merchant in the state of Louisiana out of business, a bipartisan group of elected representatives has opted to ban all cash payments for the buying and selling of used goods.

Though House Bill 195 was intended to make it easier to track the sales of stolen goods by giving police a paper trail to follow, the unintended consequences could be much more widespread. Namely, the law requires second-hand sales be made paid for with credit cards, paper checks, electronic transfer or money orders. Cash is prohibited.

It was signed into law on July 1, but flew so far under the radar that practically nobody in the media noticed until this week, when Louisiana’s KLFY Eyewitness News 10 put a spotlight on the new rules and their likely impacts on local business.

The law also requires second-hand sellers to obtain personal information about each buyer — information like names, addresses, driver’s license number and even, if applicable, their license plate number — and turn it over to state officials.

MORE at the link --

[NYC_SKP]

1. Batshit Crazy. nt.

[WinkyDink]

2. Another thread: :-)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2146134

[agentS]

3. What a weird law.

As to be expected from Louisiana of course. But how in the hell is this going to hold up in court?

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. Screw that.

Don't they have something better to do?

[hlthe2b]

5. How can this be legal?

Federal commerce laws cover legal tender... How can a state restrict the use of that legal tender?

[lonestarnot]

11. Unconstitutional, so no, not legal IMO.

[Fumesucker]

6. Yeah, and it was a Democrat who proposed the law..

Suck on it little people, the Democratic party knows what's best for you.

The law in its majesty forbids both the wealthy and the poor alike from purchasing used goods with cash.

[msongs]

10. a LOUISIANA democrat - in California he/she would be called a republican lol nt

[Fumesucker]

14. No true Scotsman, eh?

Pathetic.

[Kennah]

7. This will enrage Teabaggers - Mark of the beast shit

[comtec]

8. That's illegal! The dollar CLEARLY states this is illegal!

Federal reserve note
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
This note is legal tender for all debts public and private

THATS PRETTY FUCKING CLEAR!

If it was ANY other supreme court i'd say this proposer "law" would last 5 seconds before the SC stepped in and said "um... just.. NO!"

but now... I dunno.
this state law is infringing on the full faith and credit of the US
THAT'S ILLEGAL!

oh well. who am I to bring logic to the argument.

[Name removed]

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[sakabatou]

9. WTF?!

[ashling]

12. Unconstitutional ?

I think so

[customerserviceguy]

21. Essentially unenforceable

Unless cops have nothing better to do than wave dollar bills around at yard sales.

[Fumesucker]

22. It'll be enforced all right..

But only selectively, it's just another tool for the cops to harass people with whom the powers that be do not like.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

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[RKP5637]

13. Some states have a reputation they have to uphold. Guess this is one of those

reputation upholders.

[Zorra]

15. Too much spilled oil must have gotten into the water supply down in Baton Rouge.

Cuz something obviously made the legislators down there totally batshit crazy.

[RKP5637]

16. This is so F'en stupid. Like those involved in illicit dealings are going to stop

dealing in under the table cash. This is soooooo stupid it's hard to even think about. As usual, it will penalize the good people and those doing the criminal dealings will go ahead business as usual. It's as bad as our stupid drug laws.

[TheKentuckian]

17. "This note is legal tender for ALL debts, public and private"

All=All, there is no not accepting cash or shouldn't be...ever.

Hell, I'm dicey on not accepting all denominations as there isn't a one that doesn't have the same quote on it.

Ignore and take them to Federal court.

[Luciferous]

18. Wow, that is stupid.

[RKP5637]

19. In fact it's sooooo stupid, the word stupid doesn't even describe it ... n/t

[EC]

20. Wow, that's really stupid.

Does that include yard sales and estate sales. Moving sales, rummage sales and antique sales? That's a law that'll be off the books in no time.

[Withywindle]

23. Seems like it would also apply to used-bookstores and thrift shops.

Crazycakes. Sounds like a bunch of people voted for a bill they didn't read and gave no thought to whatsoever.

[no_hypocrisy]

24. Geez, a new black market of hand-me-down clothes and furniture.

BTW, patrons of Goodwill and Salvation Army stores usually have no credit or bad credit. They won't have checking accounts or credit cards.

Not to mention the spate of "bad" checks given.