Kootenai County isn't alone in looking at tightened regulation of coin and precious metal dealers.

A state representative from Post Falls is working to introduce a bill in the legislature that would require coin dealers, pawn shops and precious metal dealers alike to ask for ID from sellers, with the aim of better tracking potentially stolen goods.

"This is really being brought forward now because there were so many burglaries in houses (in Kootenai County)," said Rep. Frank Henderson, who said his bill has just been submitted at the committee level, where it will be determined if it is acceptable for introducing into the legislature. "Burglars were quickly snatching coins and jewelry and gold laying around, taking them to a shop that weighs it, gives them money and they're often not identified."

The bill would ideally require such entities to record sellers' personal information, Henderson said, to track them if the items they sell are determined stolen.

"It might help recover goods," he said.

There is currently no state statute requiring coin and precious metal dealers to ask for ID, though there is a state requirement for scrap dealers to take ID from sellers of nonferrous metal property or stainless steel.

Kootenai County, as well as Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene, have laws requiring pawn shops to record personal information about sellers and their items. The county is considering expanding the law to include coin shops and precious metal dealers, in lieu of the recent burglaries.

Henderson said it is too early to tell if his bill will garner wide support among lawmakers.

"I think it's something that law enforcement agencies would be interested in," he said.

Some coin dealers have objected to the county's proposal to require ID from sellers, which they worry would deter customers who value their privacy.

Dave Floyd, owner of DJ's Coins in Coeur d'Alene, said he is just as unsure about a state law as the county proposal.

"I'm sure it would be a mixed bag," he said of how customers would react to handing over their IDs. "If half the people don't like it, obviously it would hurt my business."

Sen. Steve Vick, R-Dalton Gardens, said he wouldn't support such a bill for similar reasons.

He has spoken with a shop owner who claimed it could ruin his establishment, he said.

"If what we're trying to do is thwart the fencing of illegal goods, it's just a Band-Aid approach," Vick said. "We're treating the symptoms, not the cause. We either need to have stiffer penalties for (thieves) who get caught, or enforce what we have on the books."

Rep. Kathleen Sims, R-Coeur d'Alene, felt the precaution could be useful in catching thieves in the first place, though.

"If they have to show ID to sell lit, I think most definitely (it would help)," she said. "The idea behind it I do support. There's a lot of home theft and theft of gold, based on its price. I think it's extremely timely for him to bring it forward."

Coeur d'Alene attorney Jim Crowe said he feels the need for immediate action, too.

Also worried about the county's myriad burglaries last year, he has been lobbying state, county and Coeur d'Alene officials to beef up regulations for coin and metal dealers over the past few months.

"I'm not one to put restraints on businesses, but I think what we're encouraging right now by not having the proper law is anyone can come in with (stolen) jewelry," Crowe said. "Coin dealers and buyers are not required to get any ID whatsoever, it only allows for theft to continue to grow."

Crowe is convinced few coin and metal dealers make an effort to vet customers, he added. He tested this theory last month by trying to sell jewelry at three separate coin/metal buyers in town, all of whom offered to pay him cash when he claimed he lacked ID to cash a check.

"I let my beard grow out for six days, I looked a mess," he noted. "They all agreed to cash."

Henderson said he expects it will be at least a couple weeks before he finds if there's broad enough support for the bill.

"It's a little early in the game," he said. "I am investigating the attitude of the legislature."