Is it true about the new MD laws in Arkansas?

[Circle C Digger]

I read that it is a $10,000 fine if you are detecting without permission in Arkansas. I travel to Arkansas several times a year on business. I always take my detector with me. I just look for abandoned and boarded up houses in the City I happen to be visiting. I've never had a problem in the past with the police, but I am a little concerned now. Is this law real?

Circle C Digger

 

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[Treasuredawg]

Circle C, where did you read this? I live in Arkansas and have no knowledge of this law. Of course, I always get permission if I hunt on private property, besides you might get shot in my area.

Treasuredawg

 

[warsawdaddy]

Read this;
House Bill Arkansas HB1068



Gang,

If this bill is passed, there will not be any land in Arkansas that
would not fall under the control of the archeologists. That means it
will be illegal to dig bullets, old coins, buttons, buckles or
anything else that is over 50 year old.

I have found out that sending emails to senators and house
representatives is not a very effective method of communications.
Unless of course the communication is generated by the government
official. We must write or call our government representatives to
protest the passing of this bill. The list of senators, congress
persons and state representatives is a must if we, as hobbyists, are
to get anyone to listen to us.

The list of persons to contact is lengthily, so I am providing a
link to you to use. This link is a map of counties for the state.
Arrow in on a county and click on it. This will give you the name
of the house and senate members of that particular county. Although
the most of us live in Northwest Arkansas, it would not hurt to
click on other counties throughout the state and send a
communication to some of them.

The link is: http://www.state.ar.us/government_rep_search.php

I am sending this message to all of the other contacts in other
states that I am acquainted with for their assistance. For a matter
of record, I would appreciate it if you make a copy of your
correspondence and replies received and give them to me for our
files. We need to act now, because the longer we wait, the worse it
will be.
I am not sure when this bill will hit the legislative floor for a
reading and/or approval, so do not wait. I will continue to check
into this to see what else I can find out.

Let's do our part to help our hobby survive this.
Again, the link to this bill is:
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB1068.pdf

James W. Beyers

UPDATE: Here is what I have found just after my previous email:
The bill was filed in the General Assembly on January 9th and on
January 10th was read for the first time. the rules were suspended
and read for a second time. It was referred to the Committee on
Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development in the House.
You can go to the following link to track the progress of this bill:
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/
James

 

[Smee]

You can download the bill here: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB1068.pdf

All words struck through are to be removed from the original law, and those underlined are to be added.

I think some folks are making too much of what this bill says and reading into it things that are not there. --- Of course, I have been wrong before.

 

[Treasuredawg]

I tend to agree with Smee. If I am reading this bill correctly....it's all about getting permission...in which all of us need to be doing anyway. There are a lot of idiots out there who deface and mess up caves, etc. on public land that probably need to be prosecuted. It seems to say that landowners still have control of what goes on on their property. Now when the Archeologist start to have power over private land....I will be all over that but until then I don't see a real problem here. If I am missing something, please, bring it to my attention. I am open minded enough to always take another look.

Treasuredawg

 

[arkhunter]

i gave it a quick look.....i say "IF" properly enforced by normal folks with common sense....it is a good bill......but...when government idiots go wild with it...who can say.

 

[Treasuredawg]

Hey, guys, I just want to thank you for watching out for anything that might effect our hobby. Just because this bill don't look to bad.....that doesn't mean the next one won't really effect us in Arkansas and nationwide. Let's keep our eye's and ear's open....and keeeeeeep on swingin!!!!

Treasuredawg

 

[FrankTM]

Any word on this?


frank

 

[Smee]

i gave it a quick look.....i say "IF" properly enforced by normal folks with common sense....it is a good bill......but...when government idiots go wild with it...who can say.

Yeah, I agree whole heartedly with that statement. Seems like I remember someone had a "permission slip" that he had the landowner sign. Was thinking about making one for myself. It could actually protect both the landowner and the detectorist if worded properly. I'll look into it.

 

[Arkie John]

Been detecting here a long, long time and it is rare...

...that I encounted any real trouble.

First I always try to get permission if on private land. That just keeps you safe and it is common sense--even in Arkansas. Otherwise you could be lookin' down the business end of a 12 gauge shotgun. Common sense when on private property.

On public property, I, in the past but not so much anymore, have pounded local schools and parks and it is rare that I even get a second look.

The one place I get jacked around at is in State Parks. But even then you can get a permit

In these days and times, I usually restrict my detecting to the beach and swim areas; wading. This spring I will be diving again. That way, I don't have to worry about the tree cops or anyone else.

To them who dare go the spoils. Be careful and be courteous.

aj