Legislation will increase ID requirements at South Dakota pawn shops

A bill in front of one South Dakota city council is hoping to force pawnshop owners to adhere to new ID verification provisions. The Argus Leader reports that the Sioux Falls City Council is getting set to vote on whether or not customers will have to register all items they buy into a national database. The information can then be accessed by members of the law enforcement community, a stipulation that many in the industry take issue with. In an interview with the news source, Linda Stoops, who works at a local pawn store, said that those doing business with the industry were being "being treated like criminals for no reason." However, councilor Vernon Brown said that the new ordinance would help consumers and not harm businesses. "The pawn industry is able to be regulated according to the courts for consumer protection," he told the newspaper. "It's good for their customers as well. It ensures that their items they are purchasing are not stolen." The pawn industry has been growing considerably in many places around the United States. One of the most successful places has been Pawn America, which expects to rake in $63 million this year, more than the $57 million it took in last year at its 22 locations, according to the StarTribune.