You are correct - it is We, Us, that are in this. It's not me, you, Billy Bob, or any other single individual. I'm not against you, I'm just trying to put the blame about these latest bill proposals where it should be.

You did a better job of explaining your thoughts in that last post versus the first & second posts. With all due respect, I think you missed my point and I think you're mixing points.

Your point appears to be that some unscrupulous, or unwitting, breeders/dealers/sellers that sell to anyone/everyone are the reason our hobby and/or livelihood is in danger. I say that is not so.

You posted links to two articles and then said, "Please be careful who you sell your offspring too..." I pointed out the fact that those, and most other incidents, have nothing to do with who snakes are sold to. There is nothing to substantiate the claim you made. Nearly all incidents involve snakes that were bought and owned by experienced keepers. Again, I say that with all due respect and not huffy, hastily, etc...

Now, as for your point of breeders/dealers/sellers blindly dumping their offspring and doing so just for the money, I'm right beside you. I'm also right beside you about fighting these bill proposals, it's just that I think you're using the wrong argument or looking in the wrong direction. But back to unscrupulous breeders/dealers/sellers - I don't think there's as many as you think there are. Definitely not the "vast majority."


You liked my anti-gun argument, 'eh? Ha! Ha!

"There is a process to purchasing a gun is there not? They take your drivers liscense, you have to verify your 18, for handguns its 21 right? To get some guns there is a background check, and waiting period correct? At least the people who deal with selling guns are at least trying to cover themselves..."

You said, "At least the people who deal with selling guns are at least trying to cover themselves."

Not exactly. Those are government mandates, not self-governing standards. They came about the same way these snake bills are beginning. From fear, ignorance and a lot of hyped up hogwash. Special interest groups. Who's behind the reptile bills? I doubt that a single politician thought on their own about a need for restricting them.

But you missed my whole point with the anti-gun analogy. You said that a lack of buyer screening is the cause of snake incidents which will be the straw that breaks the camel's back with this bill. I said that is the same as blaming gun mfgs for people getting killed with guns.

And the car dealer analogy - you said, "What do you have to buy a car? Proof of drivers liscenes, Insurance....Credit history....You can't just go up and buy a car."

No, you don't need a driver's license or good credit history to buy a car. None of the things you listed is proof that a person actually knows how to drive safely. You can ride with my mother-in-law anytime you feel lucky. Me, my wife, and kids do not & will not. And I'm serious about that.

Look, incidents like the ones you linked to definitely don't help us any. And of course they'll be used to add fuel to the fire. However, these special interest groups realize that human danger is a weak & useless argument as far as debate goes, but it won't stop them from using it to instill fear for one of the world's most feared & misunderstood animals.

While I believe in some type of screening of potential buyers, it is not the answer or solution to our problem. Public awareness, teaching proper husbandry & handling techniques, is. That is why I participate here. Not for promotion or advertisement. I'm a small-time breeder & will most likely stay that way for fear of losing the passion that got me where I am today.

Technically & legally? Unless someone was below a state's legal age limit to purchase a particular animal, a seller could easily find their self tied up in court for refusing to sell a python "because I didn't feel like he was ready for one." Rediculous? Yeah, that's what American Arms, Beretta, and Taurus said.

You're in the right hunt, but you're barkin' up the wrong tree.

Take care!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American


www.natures-signature.com

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