[meteorite-list] Apollo Moon rock sample on eBay?

From: cdtucson at cox.net <cdtucson_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 14:33:02 -0500
Message-ID: <20110204143302.DW50N.1104337.imail_at_fed1rmwml29>

Well there we have it.
This case showed that the material was obtained illegally and therefore seized and forfeited by our US Government.
But, it does not apply to sales of Moon material that were obtained legally. Statute 19 USC.
As is the case with some of the ones given by President Nixon. The one I saw was given by NASA as a retirement gift and therefore obtained legally. So, it could be sold. Maybe?? Still no actual copy of the stated law to read?.
Steve's references returned the material. That tells me sales are okay. Why else would they have returned it? Granted the Gov could not prove it was from the Moon and therefore was returned to owner. The one I saw was also in resin also so, it too could not be proven to be from the moon either. Even though it was exactly like the one in this case referenced in Phil's post.
So, I still do not see where it is actually illegal to own or sell legally obtained Moon material. Even rocks.
BTW, The expression where's the beef refers to where's the proof.
So, Where is the proof?
This case Phil references seems to me could apply to illegally imported meteorites and would allow the US Gov. to seize them legally?
Scary! If the "No innocent owner clause" does not apply to meteorites you cannot claim ignorance? .
Carl

--
Carl or Debbie Esparza
Meteoritemax
---- JoshuaTreeMuseum <joshuatreemuseum at embarqmail.com> wrote: 
> I believe this is the only court case involving moon rocks:
> http://www.collectspace.com/news/usvmoonrock.pdf
> 
> 
> Phil Whitmer
>  
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Received on Fri 04 Feb 2011 02:33:02 PM PST