CINCINNATI (AP) -- A scrapyard has filed a lawsuit against
Cincinnati, saying a new ordinance placing restrictions scrap metal
sales will drive away customers.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports the lawsuit filed by Garden Street Iron & Metal Inc. in U.S. District Court on Friday says the rules violate the U.S. Constitution's protection for interstate commerce.

The city's rules require permits, background checks, licensing
and additional record-keeping.

Much of Garden Street's metal is shipped in from other states.

A company lawyer says sellers have said they will stop doing
business.

The city says it passed the ordinance Wednesday in an effort to
curb the theft of scrap metal.

High prices for copper and other metals in a struggling economy
have spurred metal thefts.

Police say such thefts accounted for 40 percent of the city's break-ins and burglaries last year.