I for one support this type of legislation. Set up some national guidelines and punish those who do not abide by them. We need to show them that a majority of us can and do play by the rules. It doesn't help that a majority of this hobby is still viewed as "outlaw biker drug addicts" (no offense to the bikers out there!) to the "standard public".

Simply put, if have a cohesive set of laws and guidelines to follow and we actually follow them we will be in a better position in the future when some other group attempts to outright ban our rights. Setting up these laws will allow us to show that a majority of us not only are capable of keeping and transporting these animals in a responsible way, but that we also support other members of our community who do likewise. After some time, those who decide to violate the laws will creep out from their corners (like they always do) and we will be able to show that these people are a minority group. They are an exception to the rule. By showing that these people make up the same percentage of "outlaws" found in nearly every other industry (dog and cat breeding especially) we can show that we who make up the responsible majority are not aligned with these types of people.

I see nothing wrong with this type of legislation. For those of you who do, we need to remember that complaining often falls on deaf ears unless it is also met with some sort of constructive solution. If you do not like the laws that are being presented, you need to stand up and say so, but you also need to present some other solution to resolve these matters. Complaining without offering solution will get us no where fast. We have to accept that having no regulations is the equivalent of having a lawless industry where anything goes. There is nothing wrong with laws and guidelines that define our hobby and industry. If you don't like the ones that are being presented you need to stand up and offer something else.

If you have nothing to offer in place of what is being presented your words are sure to fall on deaf ears. "Yeah, I heard you, you don't like what is being done, but you also don't have an alternative solution... and I've got to go with something. At the end of the day, you may not like it, but something is better than nothing. Come back to me when you have an alternative for me to consider." - THAT is what you are likely to hear - if you hear anything back at all.

Standing up is one thing. USARK is taking a pro-active stance here and we need to support that. Reactive policies are the ones we are constantly fighting. By being proactive and showing the general community that we also see some of the problems that they are concerned about and that we are willing to actually DO SOMETHING to prevent these things from happening while also securing our rights to keep these animals is the most responsible thing we can do. We will show them that we have many of the same concerns as they do, but that we also have alternative solutions to the problems that can allow (mostly) everyone to be satisfied.

Is alcohol illegal? No. However there are restrictions put on the sale and consumption of it. As long as people follow those laws there is nothing wrong with possession, sale or transport of alcohol. However, break those laws and you will be punished. We need to look at this from that stand point. We need to come up with universal policies that allow us to maintain our community and at the same time punish those who would deviate from what is acceptable and responsible keeping of these animals.

Sure there are feral dog and cat populations in nearly every corner of this country. But the responsible owners know that they need to have their animals registered and up-to-date with their vaccines in order to keep them. The responsible dog and cat owners frown upon those who allow their animals to roam and those who break these regulations as much as we in the herp community condemn those idiots who break common sense practices when it comes to their herps. Right now, we have a loose knit set of common sense "rules" everyone is encouraged to follow. Those who deviate from these rules are publicly shamed. Turning these guidelines into laws and being able to actually punish those people would serve us much better. We would in effect be able to say to the rest of the community at large, "No, we do not promote the actions of this individual and we will not protect them for failing to abide by the law. A majority of us support and promote the responsible keeping of these animals and are able to do so within the context of the laws WE HELPED CREATE."

That last part is key. If we do not stand up and proactively create the laws that govern our industry and hobby someone else will and chances are we won't like the outcome.

If you don't like the direction the current legislation is heading, you need to remember that ANY CITIZEN can introduce a bill to their legislators. Come up with an alternative for them to consider and then we will have an real chance at fighting those who wish to outright ban our animals.

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