[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of Newtown 6-8-1981 by Ord. No. 1981-4. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate businesses dealing
in gold, silver and/or gemstones within the Township so as to assure
and safeguard the health, safety and general welfare of the residents.
As used in this chapter, certain terms are defined as follows:
Any person or business entity who, in the regular course
of business, purchases for resale, distribution to another or manufacture
articles containing precious metals and stones.
Any article containing gold, silver or gemstones, including
but not limited to diamonds, rubies, emeralds and pearls.
A.
No person or business entity shall engage in the business of a dealer
in precious metals and stones in the Township without first obtaining
a precious metals and stones dealer's license from the Township.
B.
A license may only be issued or renewed if the application therefor
is reviewed by the Chief of Police after a complete records check
is made of the dealer and all employees and satisfactory evidence
of good character is submitted by the applicant.
C.
A separate license shall be required for each location which the
same person or business entity may have within the Township.
[Amended 4-24-1995 by Ord. No. 1995-2]
A license shall be issued for one year and shall be renewed
prior to the expiration of each licensing period. The fee for a license
or its renewal shall be set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
A.
Every person or business entity conducting the business of a dealer
in precious metals or stones in the Township shall keep a book in
which shall be recorded at the time of purchase an accurate account
and description of the articles containing gold, silver and/or precious
gemstones purchased. Such record book shall also set forth the amount
of money paid for each article, the date and time of purchase, together
with a description of the person selling such articles, including
the name and address of the seller together with a legend of the photo
identification offered by the seller, such as a current driver's license
number, and a statement of the history of the person's ownership of
each item, including when and from whom it was acquired.
B.
The record book provided for shall be subject to the inspection of
the Department of Police from time to time.
C.
A copy of each entry in the record book hereinabove provided for
shall be sent to the Chief of Police each working day prior to 12:00
noon showing all transactions entered on the previous day and setting
forth all information required under this chapter.
A.
No dealer in gold, silver or precious gemstones shall sell any articles
purchased until the same have been in his possession at least 15 days.
Records shall be kept of the date and time of each sale and shall
be subject to inspection by the Department of Police from time to
time.
B.
No dealer under this chapter or his employee shall purchase any article
for which he is licensed by virtue of this chapter from any person
under the age of 18 years, any intoxicated person or any known or
suspected thief or receiver of stolen property.
C.
No purchase shall be made from any person who does not present valid
photo identification to the dealer prior to the transaction of any
business.
D.
All payments for the purchase of precious metals or stones subject
to this chapter shall be made solely by check payable to the former
owner of such property. In no event shall payments be made directly
or indirectly in cash for all or any portion of the purchase price.
Any licensed dealer who violates any provision of this chapter,
in addition to the fine prescribed by this chapter, shall have his
license revoked.
[Amended 4-24-1995 by Ord. No. 1995-2]
Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this
chapter shall, upon conviction, be punishable by a fine not exceeding
$1,000, plus costs of prosecution, and, in default of payment of such
fine and costs, shall be imprisoned for a term not exceeding 30 days.
