66-422. Inspection of regulated metals property and records.

(a) Retention of Records. - A secondary metals recycler shall keep and maintain the information required under G.S. 66-421(b) for not less than two years from the date of the purchase of the regulated metals property. Records shall be securely maintained at all times and shall be destroyed in a manner that protects the identity of the owner of the property, the seller of the property, and the purchaser of the property.

(b) Inspection of Regulated Metals Property and Records. - During the usual and customary business hours of a secondary metals recycler, a law enforcement officer shall have the right to inspect all of the following:

(1) Any and all purchased regulated metals property in the possession of the secondary metals recycler.

(2) Any and all records required to be maintained under G.S. 66-421(b).

(c) Making Receipts Available for Inspection by Law Enforcement. - A secondary metals recycler shall make receipts for the purchase of regulated metals property available for pickup each regular workday if requested by the sheriff or chief of police of the county or the chief of police of the municipality in which the secondary metals recycler is located. The sheriff or the chief of police may request these receipts to be electronically transferred directly to the law enforcement agency. Records retained by a law enforcement agency shall be securely retained as required by law and destroyed in a manner that protects the identity of the owner of the property, the seller of the property, and the purchaser of the property.

(d) Records Are Not Public. - Records submitted to any public law enforcement agency pursuant to this section are records of criminal investigations or records of criminal intelligence information as defined in G.S. 132-1.4 and are not public records as defined by G.S. 132-1.