(never mind- overreacted, apparently)

lordmarcovan

I'm not from Oregon- never been there, and possibly never will be, since it is on the exact opposite corner of the nation from me.

However, it is my understanding that this legislation would ban the recreational use of metal detectors everywhere, including private property.

Basically, Oregon would forbid you from using a detector on your OWN property, if I understand this correctly.

If such a draconian, stupid bill gets passed in Oregon, who knows what other states might follow suit?

For the sake of those of us who like to dig old coins and relics, please take a second to sign this petition. Think of the coins that have come to light as a result of metal detectors.

What's in it for you as a numismatist, if you are not also a detectorist?

Consider this: in some cases, like that of the Gloucester token, a detector find added a second or third known piece to our knowledge, and enabled numismatic researchers to read a bit more of the legends of this rare token, which otherwise would've been a mystery. Several of the Chain cents and 1792 half dimes now in private hands were originally found by detectorists.

And I don't need to tell you of the contributions to numismatics that have been made in other parts of the world by detectorists, particulary in places like England and around the Mediterranean basin (where detecting is legal or not completely banned).

Imagine if your government decided it was suddenly illegal to pursue your true joy. That all pre-1975 coins had to be surrendered for melting, for example. People would still collect coins in secret, and the ban would be nearly unenforceable, but those who got caught would face harsh penalties. OK, so that is a bit of a farfetched scenario. But the thought of what I would do if my home state banned one of the true joys in my life is not a pleasant one.

I am not normally politically active, but I think these people must be stopped. Somebody has to cry "foul".

I have nothing against legislation that regulates detecting, or even which bans it from certain historical or culturally important sites and/or environmentally delicate places, but a TOTAL ban including PRIVATE property? To me, it sounds like a gross violation of people's private property rights.

Please sign here.

Thanks for your attention to this.

Rickc300

What a crock of BS... It is things like this that make me wonder what our legislators are thinking when they come up with this kind of garbage (or maybe they're not thinking)? I signed and will forward the link to a number of friends and relatives as well who are also casual hunters of the odd coin or relic buried and lost for all time without US ever finding them.

Grrrr.....

Rick

Rickc300

This subject has been burning in the back of my mind while I have been reading other posts here on the forum creating a small rolling boil of malcontent. Correct me if I am wrong but isn't White's metal detectors based out of Oregon? I wonder what they have to say on the subject... Hopefully they are jumping up and down and creating huge waves of discontent among enthusiasts of metal detecting, urging them to contact the states legislators.
Rick
(still steaming)!

lordmarcovan

White's Electronics, one of the largest metal detector manufacturers in the world, is indeed based in Sweet Home, OR.

I'm sure they have something to say about their own home state making their product illegal, for practical purposes.

Hopefully their voice is large and loud, and their contribution to the state economy will not go unnoticed by these lawmakers who have their heads stuck so far up their posteriors.

I shudder to think of what would happen if some of the other state legislatures tried enacting such a law. It might pass in some.

Virginia wouldn't be a surprise at all.

laurentyvan

This proposed bill seems to be a nod to the Indian tribes of the area in an effort to protect their "cultural patrimony".

I can kind of sense the sentiment of the bill but it's overkill to a grand degree. Any coins found in metal detecting were not minted by Indian Tribes of the time. I imagine they're more concerned with protecting Indian burial grounds and sacred places.

Once again in our skewed and modern age we are at the mercy of some narrow-minded functionary and small interest group (with agenda in arm) who will let us know what we are permitted to do, even on private property.

Assuming the initial observation I made is true, how much of what the Indian Tribes created is still intact and could ever be found with a metal detector? Stone arrowheads, wooden lodegepoles, fabric leggings, clayware, bone pipes?

Aethelred

<< <i>This proposed bill seems to be a nod to the Indian tribes of the area in an effort to protect their "cultural patrimony".

I can kind of sense the sentiment of the bill but it's overkill to a grand degree. Any coins found in metal detecting were not minted by Indian Tribes of the time. I imagine they're more concerned with protecting Indian burial grounds and sacred places.

Once again in our skewed and modern age we are at the mercy of some narrow-minded functionary and small interest group (with agenda in arm) who will let us know what we are permitted to do, even on private property.

Assuming the initial observation I made is true, how much of what the Indian Tribes created is still intact and could ever be found with a metal detector? Stone arrowheads, wooden lodegepoles, fabric leggings, clayware, bone pipes? >>



Sounds like you pegged it!

ajaan

I signed it but not being from OR I don't know if it'll do any good.

satootoko

Before panicing and creating a new urban legend, it might be a good idea to read >> the law << and see what it actually would, and would not, do.



<< <i>58.945. (1) If a person who is conducting an archaeological investigation on public { + or private + } lands according to the provisions of ORS 390.235 { - or on private land with the owner's written permission - } finds a sacred object or object of cultural patrimony, the person conducting the archaeological investigation shall * * * >>

Oregon isn't Greece, part of the Roman Empire, or any other place where ancient coins may be found. I'm not licensed to practice law in Oregon, but under ordinary common law principles, I really don't see this bill as presently worded as any threat to metal detecting that turns up the ordinary detritius of non-Native American life.

lordmarcovan

Thanks, Roy.

I admit I have not read the fine print.

But this does have many in the metal detecting community prancing.

Georgia enacted similar laws but with no clause about private property that I am aware of, and we have been detecting normally without any interference from any authorities.

Even if they did enact such a ban it would be unenforceable, but you can see why folks are upset at what it appears to be saying.

Mind you, I may never set foot on Oregonian soil, but threats like this do get us a wee bit antsy.

TwoKopeiki

Satootoko, you have to agree that the wording of this bill can go either way. Who is to say what is considered an object of cultural patrimony, for example. It gives the authorities power to prosecute, when they deem it necessary.

WillieBoyd2

Of course gambling casino chips might be considered "Indian relics".

laurentyvan

never mind- overreacted, apparently

Not at all!

This kind of thing goes on in the world all the time. It's called reconstructing history, or devolving history, or PCing history, or (here is where I differentiate from others) revenging history. This is revenging history... taking as much historical flesh as you can in petty revenge, nonetheless semi-accurate, but weak and often mostly inaccurate, nonetheless.

Makes sense?

satootoko

<< <i>Satootoko, you have to agree that the wording of this bill can go either way. [ >>

I'll go you one better - Until a bill is signed into law, anything can change. In fact, even after it's signed into law, it can be amended. (With the reputed exception of one batch of 10, laws are never carved in stone! )

<< <i>It gives the authorities power to prosecute, when they deem it necessary. >>

In our constitutional form of goverment, that power can only be exercised under due process of law, which includes a reasonability standard.