There are two.

1. Nobody can force you to delete pictures without a court order
2. Security in Las Vegas has gotten out of control”

On point No. 2, I agree.

Point No. 1, well, that could be debated.

Let’s say a tourist has some gumption to match yours, but lacks the wit. When a Metro bike cop shows up who doesn’t understand the law any better than the rent-a-cop and asks you to delete the pictures, then orders you to delete the pictures, then arrests you for “not following a lawful police order” and then when you are released–hopefully an O.R. release–you will find the pictures have been deleted from your camera. Now, you can fight this in court. And good luck to you in that adventure.

So, yes, legally, no one can force you to delete pictures without a court order. But, there are any number of ways that casino security and the local law enforcement community can very much make you delete photos without a court order.

Now, fortunately, most of our cops are busy shooting ice cream truck drivers and other societal dangers to care about photographer, but it’s just a matter of time. Check out the links below (sorry for not using tiny url…) to see how exciting it can get.

http://discarted.wordpress.com/2008/11/18/chicago-photographer-arrested-again-cpd-on-the-warpath/
http://carlosmiller.com/2008/12/27/amtrak-police-arrest-photographer-participating-in-amtrak-photo-contest/

It’s scary to think that we’re losing some freedoms, but I take some comfort knowing that as a result, we are guaranteed that there will be no more terrorist attacks in this country ever again… right?