Beware of Feds in Your Front Yard

Holy moly! The federal government is out of control. Recent changes to legislation now have yard sales and flea markets subject to the laws and regulations of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Jeez, it's tough enough having to lug stuff out and try to unload it for a song. It's a lot tougher if you also have to worry about whether you're selling any government-banned materials or whether any lab rats got sick or died while the item was manufactured years ago.

Presumably, the government won't be sending a flood of safety officers out to verify compliance but those people selling stuff will have the potential of federal enforcement action over their heads. And just wait for the first time somebody has a complaint about what was purchased at a yard sale. Not only will the Consumer Product Safety Commission be prepared to step in but civil suits are also possible.

I might be overreacting but it appears that selling items "as-is" will no longer be advisable since federal regulations dictate required and prohibited product characteristics.