Frank Theriault wrote:
"Defining a telephoto lens would be quite easy. Choose a number. "any
lens longer than 90mm (35mm equivalent, as applicable to other
photographic formats)"."
What about zoom lenses? The proposed rule was ludicrous. The fact that
the law was ever proposed makes a sad statement about how little
Americans value freedom. Any legislators who were associated with it
should have been immediately recalled.
"If it's not in the law, all you need is
judicial interpretation. A judge will either throw the law out due to
it's imprecision, or interpret "telephoto" and stick a number in that
will now follow the law around by legal precedent (that's all case law
is)."
That means legal fees and months and months of procedures. The cops will
have all your equipment in the meantime.
"Of course, this California law we're talking about here was likely
passed as an Anti-Paparazzi or Anti-Stalking law (assuming it was ever
passed at all)."
No doubt you're right but it was still a bad law.
"So one doubts that guys walking along Venice Beach
with a big lens would be harrassed by California's finest..."
You greatly underestimate the willingness of police to abuse the rights
of the citizens.
Tom Reese
