virginia laws [laughable]

[wodd]

Does anyone know what is going on with the law concerning metal detecting in virginia. I have heard that they going to vote on it or has it already been up for the vote. Don't know anything so could anyone share some insight on this matter. Also is there anyone who lives close to the Lynchburg VA. area who can tell me anything on detecting in the schools and city parks. I have called the city parks and recreation department but didn't get a full complete answer, first I was told that you can not excavate. Well does this mean I can not bring a garden shovel. This state kills me you never get a straight answer on anything around here, it's either I don't know or they can't explain it to you that you almost need a college grad. to translate.

[knapper]

move that state won't even let you have a radiar detector

[thumper]

I live about an hour and a half from lynchburg and hunt a lot of parks, playgrounds, and schools, Have seen lots of cops drive by, but have never been harrased or anything. I'm not sure if they even know if it's legal or not......LOL... One thing I know for sure is don't detect in any state parks, that for sure is a no-no....

HH

[agbonanza]

I live about 1 1/2 hours south of Lynchburg and I have hunted schools and parks....not clear on the state parks, but won't hunt them until I find out for sure. Let's hook up sometime!!

[gldhntr]

va state laws a few months ago were that if it wasn't on state owned/public land or in the water the state had no claim or say so about it....if on state land its the states...i forget what happens if in water as it gets kind of complicated then.....otherwise its between the land owner and locator...any trove actually belonging to the land owner and anything the locator recieves should be worked out in prior written agreement with land owner....gldhntr

[papa]

The Virginia laws on MD are just plain stupid,but that's a different story. Here in Southwest Va.( Carroll County,Wythe County ) there are so many places I would love to MD,but can't,posted,state owned,National Park,etc. What a crock. I'm still checking on what we still can do,if anything.

[DCMatt]

I'm near Fairfax, VA about 4 miles from the Ox Hill CW battlefield. I want to search an area of road easement (between the road and the on-ramp) where a church stood until about 1990. I watched them remove the old one-room building.

During my research on the church I discovered that the site is near the center the actual CW battle, but NOT part of the park set aside by the state. I emailed the county government about detecting there and was told it is a class 1 misdemeanor to detect and/or dig on ANY state, county, or federal property (park AND non-park land) in the state of Virginia. Class 2 for the second offense with fines for vandalism, destruction of property, and removal of "artifacts".

Is it enforced? I have no idea. I've heard of lots of people MDing parks and schools without incident. But the site I want to MD is next to a busy highway. I'm SURE someone would stop to see what I was up to...

DCMatt

[TheSleeper]

DCMatt, thxs for posting, i was researching that very site, saw from early maps the church was in the actual battle but not part of the fed land. But as u said since it is on road easement it still belongs to them so recken we can scratch another one off. Danggit recken more research on other sites now.

[borninok]

Okay folks,
Living here in Manassas, VA I decided to check the city code regarding metal detecting. Here is the official code:

Sec. 78-80. Hunting for relics on public property.
It shall be unlawful for any person, without authority of the city council, to hunt, search out for, attempt to find or seek relics, or to use or be in possession of a metal detector on public grounds or property.
(Code 1978, § 21-37.1)
Cross references: Streets, sidewalks and other public places, ch. 102.
State law references: Acquisition and housing of relics, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-945.


So....................in looking at the cross references for sidewalks..........you have got to see this official code from the city of Manassas...........oh Lord!

Sec. 102-6. Use of hand trucks, wheelbarrows or handcarts on sidewalks.
No person shall use any hand truck, wheelbarrow or handcart on any sidewalk, except in receiving or delivering goods across the sidewalk.
(Code 1978, § 28-26)


Guess this gives me an excuse to tell my wife as to why I can't pick up the grass!

[EDDE]

I'm near Fairfax, VA about 4 miles from the Ox Hill CW battlefield. I want to search an area of road easement (between the road and the on-ramp) where a church stood until about 1990. I watched them remove the old one-room building.

During my research on the church I discovered that the site is near the center the actual CW battle, but NOT part of the park set aside by the state. I emailed the county government about detecting there and was told it is a class 1 misdemeanor to detect and/or dig on ANY state, county, or federal property (park AND non-park land) in the state of Virginia. Class 2 for the second offense with fines for vandalism, destruction of property, and removal of "artifacts".

Is it enforced? I have no idea. I've heard of lots of people MDing parks and schools without incident. But the site I want to MD is next to a busy highway. I'm SURE someone would stop to see what I was up to...

DCMatt

throw on the utility workers vest get the the orange flags and put a yellow siren on the roof of the car

[Jeffro]

Here ya go-


http://www.fmdac.org/parks/parks.htm

It looks like its OK as long as you get the park's permission.

Check down at the bottom for full verbage of the law.