New Law Makes Stealing Illegal?

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced legislation last week to crack down on what some say is a growing problem: metal theft. According to National Insurance Crime Bureau, metal theft has increased more than 80% in recent years. Thieves steal high-priced metal from critical infrastructure, businesses, homes, churches and even veterans’ graves. The Metal Theft Prevention Act aims to reduce metal thefts and make it harder for thieves to sell stolen metal. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Chuck Schumer, D-NY, are cosponsors of the bill.

“These thieves will stop at nothing to get this high-priced metal and make a quick buck,” Klobuchar said. “This legislation will crack down on metal thieves, helping put them behind bars and make it more difficult for them to sell their stolen goods.”

Between 2009 and 2011, the National Insurance Crime Bureau found more than 25,000 insurance claims related to metal theft, an increase of 81% over claims made between 2006 and 2008. In a recent study, the U.S. Department of Energy found the total value of damages to industries affected by the theft of copper wire would likely exceed more than $900 million each year.

As a result of the bill, scrap metal dealers would be required to keep detailed records of secondary metal purchases for two years and make them available to law enforcement agencies. The bill would also require that purchases of scrap metal over $100 be done by check instead of cash, to further help law enforcement track thieves.

The bill is not without critics, like the Heritage Network, who recently made the case that government needs to use the resources it already has. Bills such as the Metal Theft Prevention Act make it appear as though Congress is accomplishing something substantive even though it really isn’t. Heritage says this bill just adds to the maze of criminal laws.