Please send email today - goes to committee on Mon.
Folks,
Appears several legislators in there wisdom, have drafted legislation to impose rather onerous sanctions against digging and selling relics in Virgina. Whether you reside in VA or not, this could ultimately impact you. I'd appreciate your support in defeating this legislation.
Here's the legislation:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?051+ful+HB2078
Here's what you can do:
1. If a Virginia resident, write your delegate. You can find them at:
http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/MWebsiteTL?OpenView
2. If not a Virginia resident, send a note to either the Speaker of the House or the Majority or Minority House leaders. Here they are:
William J. Howell
Speaker of the House
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1028
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Constituent Viewpoint: (800)-889-0229
Email: [email protected]
Room Number: 635
H. Morgan Griffith
Majority Leader
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1008
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Constituent Viewpoint: (800)-889-0229
Email: [email protected]
Room Number: 607
Franklin P. Hall
Minority Leader
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1069
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Constituent Viewpoint: (800)-889-0229
Email: [email protected]
Room Number: 614
Below is a draft letter that you can feel free to use. Send me a private email on questions.
Cory Rind
[email protected]
Dear Delegate,
As a Civil War history buff and metal detectorist, a proposed piece of legislation, Virginia House Bill HB2078, has me extremely concerned. This bill seems destined to take away my ability to readily look for Civil War artifacts (with permission) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Additionally, should I choose to sell or buy artifacts, it appears I could easily be in violation of the law without having extensive documentation on source of the artifact.
I strongly recommend that you vote against this legislation for the following reasons:
1. Laws are already in place in Virginia regarding trespassing, grave robbing and
destruction of property.
2. A Federal law, Archeological Resources Preservation Act of 1979 (ARPA), has
already been enacted and covers most of the concerns HB2078 deals with.
3. Having dealt with many landowners, most have no need for written permission -
they are either going to give permission to detect/use their land or they will not.
An additional piece of paper accomplishes nothing.
4. Definition of a site is vague. This definition could cover most any piece of land.
5. If one engages in the sale or purchase of "objects of antiquity", how is one to
document that the item complies with the law?
6. "Object of antiquity" is a pretty vague term. This could be stretched to cover
most anything a zealous prosecuting attorney might desire.
7. Why should a landowner have anything to do with anyone's right to engage in
free commerce or trade?
Should you wish to further discuss this issue, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
XXXXXXX
Messages
Folks,
Appears several legislators in there wisdom, have drafted legislation to impose rather onerous sanctions against digging and selling relics in Virgina. Whether you reside in VA or not, this could ultimately impact you. I'd appreciate your support in defeating this legislation.
Here's the legislation:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?051+ful+HB2078
Here's what you can do:
1. If a Virginia resident, write your delegate. You can find them at:
http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/MWebsiteTL?OpenView
2. If not a Virginia resident, send a note to either the Speaker of the House or the Majority or Minority House leaders. Here they are:
William J. Howell
Speaker of the House
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1028
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Constituent Viewpoint: (800)-889-0229
Email: [email protected]
Room Number: 635
H. Morgan Griffith
Majority Leader
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1008
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Constituent Viewpoint: (800)-889-0229
Email: [email protected]
Room Number: 607
Franklin P. Hall
Minority Leader
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1069
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Constituent Viewpoint: (800)-889-0229
Email: [email protected]
Room Number: 614
Below is a draft letter that you can feel free to use. Send me a private email on questions.
Cory Rind
[email protected]
Dear Delegate,
As a Civil War history buff and metal detectorist, a proposed piece of legislation, Virginia House Bill HB2078, has me extremely concerned. This bill seems destined to take away my ability to readily look for Civil War artifacts (with permission) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Additionally, should I choose to sell or buy artifacts, it appears I could easily be in violation of the law without having extensive documentation on source of the artifact.
I strongly recommend that you vote against this legislation for the following reasons:
1. Laws are already in place in Virginia regarding trespassing, grave robbing and
destruction of property.
2. A Federal law, Archeological Resources Preservation Act of 1979 (ARPA), has
already been enacted and covers most of the concerns HB2078 deals with.
3. Having dealt with many landowners, most have no need for written permission -
they are either going to give permission to detect/use their land or they will not.
An additional piece of paper accomplishes nothing.
4. Definition of a site is vague. This definition could cover most any piece of land.
5. If one engages in the sale or purchase of "objects of antiquity", how is one to
document that the item complies with the law?
6. "Object of antiquity" is a pretty vague term. This could be stretched to cover
most anything a zealous prosecuting attorney might desire.
7. Why should a landowner have anything to do with anyone's right to engage in
free commerce or trade?
Should you wish to further discuss this issue, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
XXXXXXX
Messages
Uncle Sam and His cohorts Strike Again!? 
It's your money their taking! 
