Bondage equipment..legal or illegal to own?

[isabeau]

I'm having an argument with my husband..i know some people have dungeons complete with all sorts of bondage equipment. I told hubby about this, and he said "Do the cops know?" I said, "it's legal to own these things..". He said no..and back and forth it went..

Now my question is..i'm right...right? It is legal to own bondage equipment in your home? right?

 

[TicklesFemales]

Hi Isabeau

Actually I think it depends on each State's local laws. I myself think it is legal as its not hurting anyone and the ones who usually use this equipment are consenting adults. If its used in a non-consensual way then the crime would not be possessing the equipment but the illegal act of non-consensual sex or assault by touching someone that did not want to be touched as tickling somone can be considered an assault if the person being tickled is not consensual about it and finds in offensive and reports it to the police. Otherwise their is nothing illegal about tickling someone that enjoys it or is consensual about it.

TicklesFemales

 

[isabeau]

Actually I think it depends on each State's local laws. I myself think it is legal as its not hurting anyone and the ones who usually use this equipment are consenting adults. If its used in a non-consensual way then the crime would not be possessing the equipment but the illegal act of non-consensual sex or assault by touching someone that did not want to be touched as tickling somone can be considered an assault if the person being tickled is not consensual about it and finds in offensive and reports it to the police. Otherwise their is nothing illegal about tickling someone that enjoys it or is consensual about it.

TicklesFemales

thanks for the answer..never thought about various state's laws regarding this issue..hope this didn't seem like a very stupid question..lol..

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

TF is correct about that varying from state to state. Heck, some states even outlaw tickling in public. Not a state I'd want to live in. That's for sure!

 

[cloudgazer2k]

i'm guessing you should check, possibly on-line, if the state you live in has a section against such things. as far as i know, texas doesn't have such a law...as there are numerous dungeons and fetish clubs abound in the more popular cities (dallas, sanantonio, etc.).

 

[tickledgirl]

I'm having an argument with my husband..i know some people have dungeons complete with all sorts of bondage equipment. I told hubby about this, and he said "Do the cops know?" I said, "it's legal to own these things..". He said no..and back and forth it went..

Now my question is..i'm right...right? It is legal to own bondage equipment in your home? right?

I think it'd depend on what you mean by "bondage equipment." This is from a story about a Texas woman who's been indicted for selling a vibrator:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/02/11/obscenity.trial.reut/

Texas law allows for the sale of sexual toys as long as they are billed as novelties...But when a person markets sex toys in a direct manner that shows their actual role in sex, then that person is subject to obscenity charges...

So it depends not only on what you're talking about and local law, but on how the judge and local bluenoses decide to interpret the law.

 

[cloudgazer2k]

I think it'd depend on what you mean by "bondage equipment." This is from a story about a Texas woman who's been indicted for selling a vibrator:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/02/11/obscenity.trial.reut/



So it depends not only on what you're talking about and local law, but on how the judge and local bluenoses decide to interpret the law.

heh...it's funny cuz i've seen tons of bondage toys...all with depictions of a man or woman wearing them and engaging in rather nifty fun.
but tickledgirl is right...the laws can also be real plain as day, or very obscure. just be careful, k?

 

[isabeau]

thanks everyone for your answers..i always win out on an argument with hubby..it's like owning a gun, the gun itself isn't illegal , but what you plan on doing with it could very well be..

and a vibrator can be illegal? eeks..

 

[Spenser]

We've had a "fully equipped" dungeon in the basement of our house in Northern Virginia since we moved here in 1997. Before that it was a smaller dungeon-ette in our apartment in suburban (DC) Maryland from '94 to '97. Before that we didn't really have appropriate space, so it was sort of a moveable feast from 1991 when M and I met each other 'til we moved in together in '94.

We've hosted 'kinky' parties with as many as 35 to 40 people since 1994. At our parties we do not allow sexual intercourse (also prostitution or arranging for prostitution) as one of our few "house rules", everyone is over 21, so we're not breaking any laws. We're on quite a few lists of folks regionally and nationally who subscribe to similar alternative and yet discrete stuff. Everyone is careful, respectful, and watches out for each other. Just like the NEST organization, we couldn't have met more 'real', 'genuine', and 'friendly' people.

Spenser (and his tickly Mrs. Melinda)

 

[AffectionateDan]

TF is correct about that varying from state to state. Heck, some states even outlaw tickling in public. Not a state I'd want to live in. That's for sure!

Now THAT is just plain F*@&ed up! If they tried to arrest me for tickling, I don't care WHAT state I was in at the time, I'd be makin' the news that night, that's a fact.

Anybody got a white Ford Bronco I could borrow? 😉

 

[TickledToDeath]

Indeed it is most certainly LEGAL to own such equiptment.
No explaination is needed to anyone as to why.

 

[isabeau]

thanks everyone..i will be sure and exult my victory over hubby tonight..but i'll be easy on him.

p.s. Dan, don't have a bronco..can you fit in a Miatta? 😀

 

[Mastertank1]

State laws?

I suspect that any such laws must include the words 'in public' or the equivalent. Any law against private posession and use of bondage equipment would fail the test of constitutionality on the grounds that they cannot be enforced without violating the accused's right to privacy. I would guess that such state laws have not been tested in federal court due to embarrassment more than anything else.

If anyone tried arresting me for tickling, I would call the media myself and take the case right to the federal courts for a ruling on constitutionality.

Fitting into a Miatta? If you have two I could roller skate! LOL.

 

[Bagelfather]

legality

Just keep in mind that some states had it illegal to do anything but missionary for sexual positions. Currently the courts are moving away from laws that restrict what happens sexually inbetween consenting adults in your own house.

Some states forbid the selling of sexual items, owning them may be a different story. If it went before the courts it would probably be overturned by a higher court, but lower courts would probably rule with the law as it stands unless there was case law to the contrary.

Local free legal centers can help you look up this information.

 

[EnchantedTKLR]

Now THAT is just plain F*@&ed up! If they tried to arrest me for tickling, I don't care WHAT state I was in at the time, I'd be makin' the news that night, that's a fact.

Anybody got a white Ford Bronco I could borrow? 😉

LOL

Yeah, that would be crazy to be arrested for tickling. It's legal here in Kansas (owning the bondage equipment), so that I know and very happy about. *grins*

 

[TicklishLurker]

As long as we're on the subject, maybe one of our international members can tell me, I head in England BDSM itself is illegal and even when it's 100% consensual, the Master can be arrested for abusing the sub. Is this true?

 

[scorpionldr]

We've had a "fully equipped" dungeon in the basement of our house in Northern Virginia since we moved here in 1997. Before that it was a smaller dungeon-ette in our apartment in suburban (DC) Maryland from '94 to '97. Before that we didn't really have appropriate space, so it was sort of a moveable feast from 1991 when M and I met each other 'til we moved in together in '94.

We've hosted 'kinky' parties with as many as 35 to 40 people since 1994. At our parties we do not allow sexual intercourse (also prostitution or arranging for prostitution) as one of our few "house rules", everyone is over 21, so we're not breaking any laws. We're on quite a few lists of folks regionally and nationally who subscribe to similar alternative and yet discrete stuff. Everyone is careful, respectful, and watches out for each other. Just like the NEST organization, we couldn't have met more 'real', 'genuine', and 'friendly' people.

Spenser (and his tickly Mrs. Melinda)

so......is there a "no cumming" rule? it's not meant to be funny but if there's no intercourse allowed in the house, don't you figure they could also get u for arousal?

 

[AffectionateDan]

p.s. Dan, don't have a bronco..can you fit in a Miatta? 😀

Danimal no like tiny pygmy cars. No fit.

 

[amalelee4u]

it depends

the legality of this equipment depends on if the person bound to it is a willing participent or a hostage

 

[Spenser]

Okay,
I've heard about enuf of this.

My wife and I have attended kinky conventions around the country over at least the last ten years. Some of these conventions have well over 5,000 paid attendies, and warehouse sized convention hall filled with so called "dungeon equipment". <I'm not making this up kids>

Security is provided by a three-fold layer of officials. First the hotels that host thes mega-cons have their own private security staff. Second the social group hosting the events have their own layer of security officials that have been trained and briefed in all the legal and safety requirement, and are issued hand held FM-Radios keyed to a central safety dispatch location. Thirdly, the local county police departments provide full time coverage for the events during the entire three days that these cons take place, and are stations at the central radio dispatch location for the conventions.

nuff said,
Spenser
(also good friends of the folks who've donated their time and energy to doing the admin and safety tasks for putting on such large and "different" events. They are the very best people around.)

 

[isabeau]

Okay,
I've heard about enuf of this.

My wife and I have attended kinky conventions around the country over at least the last ten years. Some of these conventions have well over 5,000 paid attendies, and warehouse sized convention hall filled with so called "dungeon equipment". <I'm not making this up kids>

Security is provided by a three-fold layer of officials. First the hotels that host thes mega-cons have their own private security staff. Second the social group hosting the events have their own layer of security officials that have been trained and briefed in all the legal and safety requirement, and are issued hand held FM-Radios keyed to a central safety dispatch location. Thirdly, the local county police departments provide full time coverage for the events during the entire three days that these cons take place, and are stations at the central radio dispatch location for the conventions.

nuff said,
Spenser
(also good friends of the folks who've donated their time and energy to doing the admin and safety tasks for putting on such large and "different" events. They are the very best people around.)

thanks for that well thought out post..answered many questions of mine..

p.s. Dan..are you calling me a pygmy???