Weatherford council adopts ordinance to regulate precious-metals and gem dealers

The Weatherford City Council on July 13 approved Ordinance 02026-24, adding Chapter 16 to the city code to establish permitting, registration, reporting and operational requirements for precious-metal and gem dealers operating within city limits.

Chief Jason Hayes told council the ordinance is intended to close regulatory gaps and improve investigators' ability to recover stolen property by requiring both permanent dealers and temporary buyers at commercial events to obtain city permits, verify seller identification, electronically report transactions, photograph purchases and maintain records. Hayes cited national data during his presentation: "According to the FBI, $1,400,000,000 in jewelry were stolen in 2024. Only 2% of that actually got recovered." He said alignment with existing pawnshop reporting systems will allow investigators to find transactions in one place.

Two members of the public spoke. Annalee Still Crum asked whether the ordinance and any future local permit fee would apply to existing brick-and-mortar dealers already licensed with the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner; Chief Hayes and staff responded that both temporary dealers and local businesses would be asked to obtain a city permit and that fee-setting would be handled on a later agenda with an opportunity for public comment. Pawnbroker Bobby Whitehead, who identified himself as a 25-year licensed pawnbroker operating in Weatherford, said licensed pawnbrokers already use electronic reporting and raised concerns about unfair competition from transient buyers that appear at motels and parking lots.

Council member Mayor Pro Tem Zach Smith moved for approval and the ordinance passed. Staff said the city will work with local dealers to streamline electronic reporting and consider fee waivers or credits for local businesses to avoid undue burdens.