I agree users of metal detectors should be encouraged to act in a
responsible manner, and not be persecuted, but with that said let me ask
this. Has any one ever seen a metal detector used at a European historic
site by an amatuer? They might, but I didn't in the two years I lived in
Germany. Where I see the problem is in Americans seeing any activity they
enjoy as a right, off limits to regulation. This is not an easy issue, and
there are those who will never act in a responsible manner. On the bright
side, others with a little education and understanding can become some of our
strongest allies.