News & Resources

Changes made to language of pawn shop law in Albany

Aug 17, 2012 Quinn Thomas

Changes made to language of pawn shop law in Albany
A proposed law in Albany, New York, has some pawn shop owners worried that the county-wide database that would be required in all businesses would prevent them from providing short term lending solutions to consumers.
 Your News Now reports that Local Law F has already been vetoed by the Albany county executive, but proponents of the bill decided to make changes to the language of the legislation. The initial proposed law required pawn shops to make every customer provide identification when selling an item. Additionally, owners would have to write down descriptions of items brought in. After modifications were made, county lawmakers reintroduced the potential law, which eliminated the ID and written description requirements. The bill is currently awaiting a vote by the public safety committee, states the news source. Another piece of legislation in New York state that could negatively impact pawn shops is Local Law No. 2 in Greene County, reports The Daily Mail. Business owners are against the bill, claiming that potential reporting requirements would force some merchants to shut down operations. Pawn shop operators are being joined by antique dealers, auction houses and businesses that sell secondhand items.