Dear Representative Adams,


I am writing to express my opinion about the lack of fairness or reasonableness with which the Department of Justice and The Department of Homeland Security seems to be enforcing the Lacey Act regarding the use of exotic hardwoods traditionally used in the manufacture of musical instruments including guitars.

The 1900 Lacey Act was initially enacted to protect endangered species, namely animals which were nearly hunted into extinction. The law was amended in 2007 to include controls regarding the acquisition and use of certain rare or endangered plants and hardwoods. Since then there seems to be a radical move by the Justice Department and Border Control to enforce these standards on anyone in possession of these products no matter when the material was harvested or manufactured. There are stridently unfair requirements in place to force individuals to account for the linage of components of a musical instrument purchased and manufactured years before. And since the act is retroactive there is no defense if you can not supply this when asked. 

As a musician I am in fear that, at some future date, my cherished instruments might be subject to seizure and destruction by law enforcement, because I can not adequately supply pedigree on the hardwoods used in the construction of the instruments by the manufacturer. There must be appropriate guide lines in place to preserve the rights of individuals to own and protect their hard earned possessions, which through no fault of their own are now at odds with the environmental fad of the day.

I fear that we will lose many classic musical instruments to the fires of law enforcement through the misapplication of this law. The way things stand right now if the Gibson L-1 guitar that was owned by blues legend Robert Johnson were to be taken across the border there is a distinct possibility that it would be seized and destroyed.

This would be a travesty.

Regarding the recent raid on Gibson Guitars; I rise in firm opposition to the treatment of a fine American company which has attempted to keep jobs in the United States while it would be much easier to take their entire facility off-shore. There must be a mechanism in place to allow recourse against these moves by Federal Law Enforcement and to require the filing and prosecution in a timely manner so as to dispose of any accusations.

I ask  that you sponsor a bill to amend the Lacey Act to include the protections which I have outlined.

Yours Truly

JimmerSD