Bill to require registration for ATVs meets opposition

Erica Sherrill Owens

Some sheriffs oppose a bill in the state Legislature that would require all-terrain vehicle owners to pay a registration fee and have information listed on a public log.

If H.B. 6 is passed, all ATV owners in Mississippi would be required to register the vehicles with their local sheriff's department.

"I'm not really in support of it," Lamar County Sheriff Danny Rigel said. "If they pass the law, I'm going to uphold it, but I don't see the need for it."

Rep. Willie Perkins Sr., D-Greenwood, introduced the bill this session.

"I have complaints from my constituents that a lot of people on ATVs are on the county roads causing disturbances and they have no way of identifying them," Perkins said.

ATV owners would be required to provide information on the purchase, where the vehicle is stored and data on the owner.

The log of registration forms would be available to the public, as required by the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983.

"I don't know; maybe I'm missing something," Rigel said. "I can't see how the public would benefit from knowing where I keep my four-wheeler."

Perkins said he and his constituents want the information made public.

"If there is somebody creating a problem, and if they take off and run and you can't track them down ... then we want to be able to track them down," Perkins said.

Forrest County Sheriff Billy McGee said the bill is being promoted under the guise that law enforcement will be able to have easy access to ATV information in the event a vehicle is stolen, but McGee does not agree with the proposition.

"Any person can come in off the street and ask if a certain person has a four-wheeler," McGee said.

Rigel said the information might even make it easier for a person to steal an ATV.

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Source: http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100118/NEWS/1180314/1001/news/Bill-to-require-registration-for-ATVs-meets-opposition

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