Hopefully I am over thinking this; right now I think my decision to spend 1500 on something I will not fully enjoy without fear of arrest was a bad decision?
Many years ago my father bought me a metal detector, I don't recall what it was; It was very simple on/off and a knob with a search coil at the end
. Remembering those days brings very pleasant thoughts of our time spent together finding a hand full of silver coins each time we went out. He would drive me to sites he knew as a boy where houses once stood but were no longer standing. My dad had more fun than I seeing me dig out a walking liberty in an area he knew. Those days were simple and fun, I went everywhere with the metal detector and no one gave it a second thought. - but times have changed and the laws have too.
After several days of research I purchased a Whites V3 and also a smaller metal detector for my daughter, she is very excited about the thought of us "treasure" hunting together, and so was I. When I made the purchase I was looking forward to the many days of nicer weather ahead and time out doors with our hobby.
The metal detectors arrived but a snow storm did as well thus I spent time this past week on the internet reviewing the many post here and other sites, I am glad I did.
One thing has giving me great concern is; I live in Virgina and have discovered it is a class one misdemeanor to remove "artifacts" from the ground and the law is vague in regard to metal detectors and where they are allowed and what are artifacts.
From what I know now, the legal areas are your back yard or your neighbors back yard if he provided written permission. Most of the local laws in VA make it illegal to operate a metal detector on public land and Virginia in general follows the ARPA (Archeological Resources Preservation Act). To me, this leaves me with a tool (metal detector) I have difficulty using legally or can not accept the risk of arrest or fines to dig a dime from the ground.
The burden is mine to shoulder to determine what each county, township or cities laws are in regards to metal detecting and trying to find the right authority to ask or acquire permission is even worse.
I am totally deflated and upset knowing what I know now; To actually enjoy what was once a great hobby is now a legal matter punishable by an interpretation of law, and depending on where you stand with the detector to what extent you will be punished.
I am sure everyone who owns a Metal Detector face some challenges in this regard; I would like to know how best to address the hobby vs the law or sites that can give insight to this aspect.
Thanks,
Many years ago my father bought me a metal detector, I don't recall what it was; It was very simple on/off and a knob with a search coil at the end
. Remembering those days brings very pleasant thoughts of our time spent together finding a hand full of silver coins each time we went out. He would drive me to sites he knew as a boy where houses once stood but were no longer standing. My dad had more fun than I seeing me dig out a walking liberty in an area he knew. Those days were simple and fun, I went everywhere with the metal detector and no one gave it a second thought. - but times have changed and the laws have too.After several days of research I purchased a Whites V3 and also a smaller metal detector for my daughter, she is very excited about the thought of us "treasure" hunting together, and so was I. When I made the purchase I was looking forward to the many days of nicer weather ahead and time out doors with our hobby.
The metal detectors arrived but a snow storm did as well thus I spent time this past week on the internet reviewing the many post here and other sites, I am glad I did.
One thing has giving me great concern is; I live in Virgina and have discovered it is a class one misdemeanor to remove "artifacts" from the ground and the law is vague in regard to metal detectors and where they are allowed and what are artifacts.
From what I know now, the legal areas are your back yard or your neighbors back yard if he provided written permission. Most of the local laws in VA make it illegal to operate a metal detector on public land and Virginia in general follows the ARPA (Archeological Resources Preservation Act). To me, this leaves me with a tool (metal detector) I have difficulty using legally or can not accept the risk of arrest or fines to dig a dime from the ground.
The burden is mine to shoulder to determine what each county, township or cities laws are in regards to metal detecting and trying to find the right authority to ask or acquire permission is even worse.
I am totally deflated and upset knowing what I know now; To actually enjoy what was once a great hobby is now a legal matter punishable by an interpretation of law, and depending on where you stand with the detector to what extent you will be punished.
I am sure everyone who owns a Metal Detector face some challenges in this regard; I would like to know how best to address the hobby vs the law or sites that can give insight to this aspect.
Thanks,
