When Cash Is Not King (Louisiana law forbids money in second-hand sales)

KLFY ^ | 10/19/2011 | Doug MacDiarmid

[Kolath]

Cold hard cash. It's good everywhere you go, right? You can use it to pay for anything. But that's not the case here in Louisiana now. It's a law that was passed during this year's busy legislative session. House bill 195 basically says those who buy and sell second hand goods cannot use cash to make those transactions, and it flew so far under the radar most businesses don't even know about it.

[TomGuy]

That hasn’t faced a court challenge yet?

I don’t see how any legislature can ‘outlaw’ the use of cash/money/legal tender in any business transaction.

[DuncanWaring]

So that whole “This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private” is out the window, eh?

[Blood of Tyrants]

I can’t see how they can enforce it. They are basically outlawing the use of cash at Goodwill stores and yard sales and purchasing items at pawn shops.

[mnehring]

Until this is resolved, a business should sell a brand new ‘voucher’ that is then immediately exchanged in barter for the used item.

[Stormdog]

“House bill 195 basically says those who buy and sell second hand goods cannot use cash to make those transactions”

So, what crime are they going to charge the hookers with?

[JoeDetweiler]

“Hardy says the bill is targeted at criminals who steal anything from copper to televisions, and sell them for a quick buck. Having a paper trail will make it easier for law enforcement.”

I sympthize with the goal here, but this is not the way to go about it.

[FritzG]

Ironic, that by doing so, you ‘have to’ use a credit card. Which, in turn, isn’t ‘cash’ at all, merely credit that can be redeemed into money.

[Hugin]

Besides non-profit resellers like Goodwill, and garage sales, the language of the bill encompasses stores like the Pioneer Trading Post and flea markets.

Is the author saying non-profits and garage sales are exempt? I think so, but if you read what he wrote literally it says they are included in the law.

[Ellendra]

This means they want people to use gold and silver instead, right?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Hardy says the bill is targeted at criminals who steal anything from copper to televisions, and sell them for a quick buck. Having a paper trail will make it easier for law enforcement.

I wonder how he plans on getting around that?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Punish the innocent.

It's the Progressive way.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Enforcement? Why did they do this?

[EEGator]

I sympathize with none of this, it is B.S..

[Ellendra]

Pinging both Mom and the Prepper list.

[crz]

Prime target for a constitutional challenge.

[crz]

That is the only way they can get around this.

[null and void]

That no man, rich or poor, free or bond, shall buy or sell save he that have the number on the card, or the mark of his number on the check...

[PilotDave]

Before doing any research I’m going to venture a guess that the LA legislator is mostly dem and chocolate...