The one and ONLY python BAN thread (HR511)

[Will0W783]

WOW....I really wasn't on here much yesterday, as I spent the majority of my free time researching whatever I could to learn the details of the new ban (I still don't have many answers). I'm really frustrated and saddened that this is how our lawmakers and "representatives" chose to fight the Everglades problem. Yes, the wild pythons in the Everglades is a serious problem to our native ecosystem....but it is a problem there, and only there.

I am not against stricter regulation of the giant snake species....too many people buy them because they think it will be "cool" to have a massive, potentially deadly snake. Or they think it is neat to watch it kill and eat its food. These idiots should not be allowed to own a giant.,...or any snake for that matter. However, an all-out ban is not the answer in my opinion. Stupid people will still get the snakes black-market, and banning the pet trade will not fix the problems in the Everglades---it won't do a **** thing to help. It WILL prevent the majority of irresponsible owners from getting in over their heads, but it will also punish the people who would be responsible owners. I recognize that there has to be an enforcement of certain measures to protect our environment and our citizens, but look at prohibition, and the war on drugs. Are those really helping save lives? Nope. People are just doing illegally what they would do anyway.

I have thought for a long time that a tighter regulation on the larger potentially dangerous snake (and other reptile) species would be a good thing. This includes venomous also. In my state, anyone can walk into a reptile expo and leave with a giant python or a venomous snake...regardless of their level of experience and training. MOST vendors will ask questions to make sure you can handle a hot or a large snake, but people can lie. And some unscrupulous vendors wont' ask questions.
If you want to buy a gun, you have to first have a background check run, to make sure you are not guilty of any crimes or wrongdoings that would make you likely to commit a gun crime, and they make sure you are not mentally disabled or certified with any mental illnesses. Why not do something similar for hots and giant pythons?

Any person wishing to obtain one of these animals would have to attend a class, spend a certain number of hours of training, and fill out an application for a permit to own, similar to Florida's venomous regulations. It doesn't have to be 1000 hours, or whatever- the number of hours could be state-by-state regulated, or set at passing certain milestones and tests. You can't drive a car without first demonstrating that you are capable- why not make sure the people who are keeping the more likely to be dangerous reptile species are prepared and capable as well? I think this should be a general permit- not specific for each animal, but you could have to register how many you are keeping (whatever needs to be done for such a system to be effective), but it shouldn't be too terribly cost-prohibitive. Once you have a permit, you can take it to reptile expos and show it to vendors to purchase your animal. I think this would be much more effective than the all-out ban, and I've written about this to multiple senators and the president. It did little good so far, but if more of us adopted a stance where we WANT to help eradicate the problems in our community while still preserving our rights, we might get farther with the general public.

I sent out letters, emails, made calls, and did all I could during this campaign, and I will continue to speak out to fight for the animals I love. We ALL need to, especially now with the new elections coming up in 2012..