The Catskill Chronicle

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (May 10, 2012) – District Attorney Jim Farrell announced today that the forms required for compliance with the new Sullivan County Local Law that regulates the second hand sale of precious metals and gems are available for download on the Sullivan County web site at www.scgnet.us/http://co.sullivan.ny.us/Departments/DepartmentsAM/DistrictAttorney/tabid/3118/Default.aspx. 

The forms can also be found on the County Clerk, Daniel Briggs’ page, as well (http://co.sullivan.ny.us/Departments/DepartmentsAM/CountyClerk/tabid/3373/Default.aspx).  Under the new law, those engaged in the second hand dealing of precious metal and gems must obtain a license from the County Clerk. Instructions for completing the application are also available on both web pages. Precious metals include gold, silver, and platinum, among others, and precious gems includes diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and pearls, among others. The local law contains a complete list of all precious metals and precious gems. The entire law can be found at http://www.ecode360.com/SU1732, at Chapter 167, “Secondhand Dealers.”

In addition, the new law requires the businesses to report certain information regarding all purchases of qualifying items to the District Attorney, electronically. Businesses are instructed to complete a Precious Metal 12(A) Report Form and the instructions for complying with this reporting requirement are also posted on line on both the District Attorney and County Clerk’s web pages. “I have tried to make the process of complying with the requirements of the law as easy as possible. All the business owner needs to do is complete the report form with all required information and transmit that form, and digital pictures of the ID provided and the items purchased, digitally, via e-mail to my office,” Farrell said.

The law also requires the business to hold all property purchased for 15 days before melting it or otherwise conveying it to someone else. “This requirement will help law enforcement to attempt to retrieve those jewelry items that are irreplaceable and have been stolen from law abiding citizens and sold on the secondary market,” Farrell said.

The law and all of its requirements will be enforced after a 60 day grace period, commencing July 9, 2012. “I expect to have everyone in full compliance with the requirements of the law by July 9, 2012, and will seek to enforce the penalties for those businesses that either fail to comply or ignore the law.  I am serious about the burglary problem in Sullivan County and will do everything in my power to protect our citizens’ property and valuables from being lost forever,” Farrell said.