Midcoast Vintage wrote:I appreciate the replies that have come in so far.
While they are old laws... they are still laws.
Over the years, there have been a few collectors that have had their machines confiscated, and spent tons of money trying to get them back.
To lose say a high top or something would not be a tragic loss. But, what if it were a cast iron machine, or an upright, or... an entire collection? Now it gets serious. Then, add in the fines, your name in the paper, loss of investment capital, and...JAIL TIME! Who wants to become "BRIDE OF BUBBA" in a Tennessee prison?
So... before I consider opening another antique mall or just a slot and jukebox shop in Nashville... I want to be pretty clear on EXACTLY what the law is.
Yes, Laws are Laws! At any given time, the powers that be, may come pouncing on you, when you least expect it.
I have heard of several confiscations over the years, here, and in other states. Mainly before that state applied for,
and had a collectable law passed. There were two different raids here in California. One was before we had our first
law passed, for 1941 or older. The second incident was not long after the law was passed, with a high-end collector,
that was 'very stupidly' selling later model slots, (mostly open fronts), out of a shop, and his home. Word got out to
the law, and when they conducted their raid, his entire collection was removed. Being as they didn't know where to
draw the line at 'Year', they take everything. Long story short - It took many hours in court, and thousands of green,
with fines, and lawyer fees, just to get back his older machines. All other machines were lost. No doubt, some of them
eventually made there way to officers homes. I know this for fact, because a cop friend I grew up with since high school,
brought a machine home, from one of their holding rooms. Luckily, it was a "Rol-A-Top", and legal at the time. So, for all
you collectors in Tennessee, always be aware of what could happen when you least expect it, as you don't want to lose
your very valuable early machines.