New Jersey Trying to Ban Child Photography

[dakwegmo]

It seems that there's a bill being considered in the NJ that would basically make it illegal to photograph children in public. New Jersey considers bill that would ban photographing children; law aimed at curbing predators

I understand the intent, but I think it's ridiculous that this is where we've come as a society.

[Ambrosia76]

Ok I understand what they are trying to do but think they may be going about it the wrong way. How about a law that says convicted sex offenders can't take pics of kids in public,or if they admit they are taking the pics for sex reasons then prosecute it as a sex crime? or something similar. Or taking pictures and refusing to delete them at the parents request.

[candleman]

I'm pretty sure the bad guys are going to do it anyway.. and it wont stop them behind closed doors.. so as usual it's just some idiot trying to justify their position and retain their job.

[Gulf Coast Girl]

Utterly ridiculous!


On mother's day I took my step mom and sister out to dinner. While waiting for a table I photographed a dancing water fountain.... you know the kind that has the water shoot up from the ground at different times/speeds? The kind that all the kids play in. So I snapped a few photos and of course there are kids in the pictures. Honestly I didn't want them in my photos, but what was I gonna do... be a mean old bitty and tell them to get out while I snapped my photos? I think not, however it sounds like under NJ proposed law, I would be a criminal.

[kirbinster]

I am embarrased to admit I live in NJ. I guess if they pass this all the TV networks will no longer be able to shoot news footage outside either. This is the stupidest thing I have ever heard of.

[veritasimagery]

Originally Posted by Ambrosia76

How about a law that says convicted sex offenders can't take pics of kids in public

How the heck do you think this could be enforced? So the cops would have to check every person carrying a camera around to make sure they aren't a "sex offender"? Sure hope you don't like having tourists, and their money. How would you feel about being harassed by the police every time you had your camera in public? Says the cop in thick German accent "May I see your papers."

[Ambrosia76]

That is not what I meant. I am not sure how they could do it, but just like in the case they were talking about the man was a known perv and admitted he was taking pics because the he found the young girls sexy,yet all they could charge him with is trespassing? I meant a law that would allow them to charge him with a sex crime or something with a longer punishment in a situation like that.

[NicoleScraps]

Originally Posted by candleman

I'm pretty sure the bad guys are going to do it anyway.. and it wont stop them behind closed doors.. so as usual it's just some idiot trying to justify their position and retain their job.

Yep, agreed! They can make any law they want, but criminals have that status because they don't care what the law says.

[bullychk04]

I live in Jersey too....and I'm not really surprised. Seriously, sometimes it's like PRNJ (People's Republic of New Jersey). All of this is starting to get out of hand in this state.

[UlpilotSC]

Originally Posted by Ambrosia76

That is not what I meant. I am not sure how they could do it, but just like in the case they were talking about the man was a known perv and admitted he was taking pics because the he found the young girls sexy,yet all they could charge him with is trespassing? I meant a law that would allow them to charge him with a sex crime or something with a longer punishment in a situation like that.

I don't care if he is a pervert and finds little kids sexy. Taking pictures of someone clothed in a non sexual situation - I.e. Kids on a sidewalk, or even at the beach... Should NEVER be a crime. I'm a cop and I think that is just crazy. Why should someone be punished for taking pictures of someone in public, whatEVER the reason?