I got it at a pawn shop in 1992 and there was a change in the law. I don't think they sell them anymore but I am not sure. This guy tried to tell me the police would take it away from me if they caught me with it. Is this true? What should I do if the police tried to take it away from me?
2006-07-04 07:24:54 · 11 answers · asked by icu812 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
go to radio frequency.com, it is only illegal if you tamper with the scanner and pick up any channels that are locked out by the company that manufactured them, you can buy chips that alter them but this is illegal if caught.
2006-07-04 12:15:39 · answer #1 · answered by sorrells316 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok the previous answers can get you into to trouble. Here's the truth...
You need to check your state laws....
In my state, you can own a scanner. You can listen to the police at HOME or WORK. No problem. Lots of senior citizens listen to them on a regular basis.... BUT
It's illegal in my state to have one in a vehicle. Why? Because criminals used them to rob stores, banks, homes etc. and know when the police were responding. Also (in my state) there is a law called posession of burglary tools... If you were found, in suspicious circumstances, with a portable scanner on your person, it could be an element of poss. burg. tools... ie: sneaking around peoples houses in the middle of the night in dark clothing with a scanner and screwdriver in your pocket.
If you just want to listen to the radio traffic at home for curiosity's sake, I doubt you'd have any concerns. Check your state laws for any other use.
The interception of cell phone calls and cordless phones is another matter. There are both state and federal laws against eavesdropping. Your scanner will allow you to limit what bands you listen to. Limit your scanned frequencies to that of Police/Fire/Ems or the weather frequencies. Most cell phones no longer transmit on bands that home scanners will pick up. There are some old cordless phones that might get picked up and baby monitors. Exclude those bands from the scanning to stay in compliance with the law.
2006-07-04 07:59:36 · answer #2 · answered by M D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Itz Perfectly legal to own a scanner, there are no laws prohibiting the use or function of a scanner. there are illegal scanner but those scanners arnt sold at Radio Shack.
2006-07-04 07:33:34 · answer #3 · answered by Nate 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scanners are completely 100% legal to use in the United States. All they are doing is picking up radio waves that are floating around all the time, and tuning them in so you can listen to them. Nothing illegal about it. Have fun!
2006-07-04 07:28:44 · answer #4 · answered by big_t8r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it is not illegal, I just got one from radio shack, I love it!!! My mom has had one on in the house since I can remember, they are exciting to listen too, but don't ever listen on the holidays, the domestic abuse is unbearable! The police can NOT take your personal items, that BS
2006-07-04 08:24:07 · answer #5 · answered by silverchick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
;o
Nah, LOL.
Guess what, I own these really funky Radio Shack Walky-talkies, and instead of working for a 2 mile radius it works for like 5 miles radius, pfftt what a coincidence !
LOL, I always messege the police and pretend I'm a cop, it's soo funny baahha, try doing it with your friends it's like.
" This is corporal Pauler, do you copy officer, we need backup ASAP, go to Coral Drive . ."
LMAO, come ib it's so legal !
2006-07-04 07:31:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is perfectly legal to listen to police, ambulance, etc.
However, it is illegal to listen to personal phone calls via cordless or cell phones. Baby monitors are also illegal to listen to.
2006-07-04 07:28:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not Illegal to own one or listen to it.
It is illegal listen to cell phones.
Depnding on your state or city ( I forget where I saw the law ) it may be illegal to carry one in your vehicle with you.
It is illegal to use it to help you further a crime.
2006-07-04 07:50:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Front right pocket, if I'm too lazy to carry a bag with it and a bunch of things in it
2016-03-27 03:45:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the airways are free if u catch them then more power to you
2006-07-04 07:45:15 · answer #10 · answered by helo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋