Reptile & Amphibian Forums

S373 aka ‘The Python Ban’ will receive a Hearing before the Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee Chaired by Barbara Boxer (D-CA) on December 3, 2009. The bill sponsor is Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL). If passed as written it would Ban all snakes in the family Pythonidae, placing them on the Injurious Wildlife List of the Lacey Act. That is ALL 40 species of pythons! This action would stop all import, export and interstate transport. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has taken steps to lobby Senator Nelson to add Boa Constrictor to the bill as well. HSUS has publicly called for an end of reptile ownership nationwide for years.

This will NOT be a full and fair hearing on this issue. As we understand it right now there will be eight bills heard by the committee with only one witness to testify on all eight. USARK does not anticipate that there will be additional witnesses called. This seems to be an effort to ram through as many bills as possible in as short a time as possible.

USARK is opposed to legislating any animals on to the Injurious Wildlife List of the Lacey Act. This should be a science and policy driven debate. As it stands now the science is being “cherry picked” to support political expediency. An independent group of scientists called the USGS study being used by HSUS and others to justify a ban, “unscientific”.

USARK is providing the best information available on this issue. We realize that these are scary times and we ask that everyone in the community come together to fight this battle. There is Strength in Numbers... Protect Your Rights. Join the Reptile Nation!

CALL IN DAY: 11/30, 12/1 & 12/2

Sample:

My name is _____. I oppose S373. Although I support and appreciate efforts to preserve the Everglades, This bill will hurt American families while doing little to benefit conservation. This bill would Ban the captive bred trade in 40 species of pythons. It would destroy thousands of jobs in our state and across the country. Scientists have questioned the USGS report being used to justify this extreme proposal. Science should trump political expediency. Please oppose S373.

Call List: (this is not a full list of the EPW just the key members likely to be at hearing)

Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), (Sponsor S373)
Phone: 202-224-5274
Fax: 202-228-2183

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), (Chair EPW)
Phone: (202) 224-3553
Fax: (202) 224-0454

Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), (Ranking Member EPW)
Phone: (202) 224-4721
Fax: (202) 228-0380

Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), (Chair Water & Wildlife)
Phone: 202-224-4524
Fax: 202-224-1651

Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), (Ranking Member Water & Wildlife)
Phone: (202) 224-6142
Fax: (202) 228-1375

Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Phone: (202) 224-4944
Fax: (202) 228-3398

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Andrew Wyatt
President USARK

Everyone Plz keep Calling Tues & Wed. This is a serious situation
make the calls or loose our/your Hobby !!

. . . Lar M
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Boas By Klevitz
Boas By Klevitz

Even with the worst case scenario playing out who honestly believes that the millions of americans that own pythons and boas will actually give up their snakes and even stop breeding them?

No one will able to ship out of state , big shows like Daytona the
NARBC shows will not take place anymore
Local shows will all be gone , it will ruin the hobby/business !!

. . . Lar M
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Boas By Klevitz
Boas By Klevitz

I very much believe it will ruin the people who have made a legitimate business out of breeding and or selling snakes. I however also know the nature of people. Just because a small group of powerfull people try to put rules and laws on this very large group of people doesn't mean it will stop.Avenues will be made. What do you do with the millions of snakes here already? Sure officer let me just turn in my collection worth many thousands of dollars. Here take it, its free.

What are you going to do with all of these pythons and boas ? This will create a generation of people who will never get into the hobby, because it may be a felony !!!!! I dont think enough people are taking this as a serious threat. Most people will eventually fade away out of the herp world. This is a catastrophic event to all of us.

With budgets already stretched do you think when this trades banned they are going to muster the police brigade to start kicking in doors and treating these hobbiests like their growing marijuana? They neither have the budget or the man power.or how about making a special task force unit to monitor our forums for possible sales!the trade will have set backs and become word of mouth. Prices will go up because now people have to drive to acquire.

They already do this to some degree in states like Texas

I know people over the past few years that have had their
entire collections confiscated

They had to go through a huge mess to get them back

So yes they will treat us like Common law breakers.

If you try to ship a snake and get caught , Jail time.

Currently I don't believe this legislation is proposing taking collections away

That's next in line will be taking collections away
by whatever means , probably Eunthanize entire collections

That would be the next law passed

Here is how current proposal reads roughly:

If passed S373 as written it would Ban all snakes in the family Pythonidae,
placing them on the Injurious Wildlife List of the Lacey Act.
That is ALL 40 species of pythons! This action would stop all
import, export and interstate transport.

So I believe you get to keep the snakes you have .

You can't buy new ones breed and produce more or ship any
to someone in another state.

So doing absolutely nothing to help stop this outrageous
infringement upon our basic right to the pursuit of happiness

isn't a really good position to take

That is my point here

Three Billion dollar a year business will be ruined

The amount of time it took to read & write these posts is all
the time it would take to make the phone calls

. . . Lar M
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Boas By Klevitz
Boas By Klevitz

As you hear and expect, this is being railroaded through.how many voices will we have on that floor during those preceedings?

Again, you me be ok committing a felony, but I for one am not. Eventually they will catch up and yes, they will bang down your doors.

I would prefer to do things by the book. Commiting felonies is not conductive to a family environment.However it is still my opinion that even if they shut down this hobby it will still operate under the radar. I do not currently make any money on this hobby.Would I like to in the future? yes.I am happy however just to be able to enjoy these snakes merely as pets.

Yes , but you bought your pet . (I assume). Most people will not be able to buy a pet going foward. Do you see the problem ?