Kiss your hobby goodbye!!!! USFW Proposed ban!!!!

Whaaaaaat?! :rage: That is soooooooooo not cool.

Relax. They are NOT implementing a ban. They are seeking information on what the consequences of a ban would be, and what the public thinks about it.

"This document seeks comments from the public to aid in determining if a proposed rule is warranted."

Quoted from the document itself. The USFW has been very quick to answer the panicked people who have flooded them with letters of protest, explaining that they are seeking information, NOT taking action at this time.

Depending on what YOU tell them, they will make a decision. They've been collecting information for a while now. Write them a polite letter, and explain what keeping snakes means to you--socially and economically--and why you believe they are no threat, and why interstate commerce should not be banned.

They are doing this because some constrictor species HAVE escaped and naturalized in several Southern US states. Burmese and Reticulated pythons are now wild in Florida, and will most likely be impossible to eradicate there. These are extremely large and potentially dangerous snakes that eat alligators and other native wildlife. Don't take what they are saying lightly, as just an attack on our hobby--they aren't going off half-cocked. They are rightly concerned, and we should be too.

We just need to let them know that we would be negatively impacted by such a draconian ban. They will most likely come up with something more reasonable, if they do anything at all.

This can not happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ball pythons are my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i am going to send them a letter. i think everbody should. just because some people dont like snakes and let them go in the wild doesnt mean we sho like snakes and never let them go in the wild should have to sufer. were do you think you send the letter ro? I HAVE TO KNOW!!!!!!!!! BALL PYTHONS ARE MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I imagine the worst ban they could come up with is some sort of restriction on burmese and reticulated pythongs or giants , in general, since they cause the only issues. Just a thought...

What if the "ban" targets retics? Woul dthat apply to dwarf retics as well? It's a slippery slope my friends! How many anti snake people think you should be able to own snake? None of them!

Rectics, Dwarf Rectics, and Burnese Pythons are already illegal in many states. Just because the federal law hasn't banned them everywhere doesn't mean they aren't illegal in some places.

Just one more small step closer for "Big Brother" to invade our personal freedoms. Maybe they should worry about all the Illegal aliens "PEOPLE" before trying this with snakes.

this is bad but it could get worse. if this law passes then they might pass a law saying that any owner of these snakes must get rid of them. it is a slipery slope we have to state our opinion now or in the future the posession of harmless snakes will be ban.

Who knows what the government is going to to.

Better stock up on more snakes while I still have the chance... -_-


Rage building...

I REALLY hope they don't do this!!!

In my opinion retics and burmese pythons probably should not be kept as pets. They pose to many risks and now they are becoming native to some southern states and quite frankly they have potential to become dangerous. I have got kids and if lived in say FL I would be a little upset that my child could potentialy run into a giant and not stand a chance against him. I would definantly understand a ban on them but I do not believe a ban on ball pythons would ever happen.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/HR669

Responsible pet owners petition against H.R. 669

Two words:

"Black Market"

Banning anything never stops trade, it simply increases the demand, which drives prices higher.

BrandonsBalls

well here is our stupid freaking goverment for us all they do is take stuff away from us and i agree people dont need 20 foot snakes i think the limit should be 12 feet anything else a permit should be required

Does everyone in this post realize this is from Feb 2008?

"..This entry was posted by Jeff Barringer on Saturday, February 2. 2008 at 01:30. and is filed under kingsnake.com. The author does not allow comments to this entry .."

I do care about the ban but .. get more updated info. Also, it is a proposal only. USFWS requested (last year) for information from the public. I believe last year was the deadline.

Look up Department of the Interior , Fish and Wildlife Service
"Injurious Wildlife Species; Review of Information Concerning Constrictor Snakes From Python, Boa, and Eunectes genera."

I love you Hyper Joe. We were all too busy bugging out to even look at the bottom of the article, to even bother checking the top of the Federal Register page or where it said that they wanted the comments in by April 2008. But you, FINALLY pointed it out and made us all seem like fools.

Massive panic has been dismissed. <3

people are dumb.they are so scared of snakes.our balls wouldn't never do any thing to us.they are sweet hearts maybe when it gets warmer we will take our snakes to schools and teach kids about bp and show them they do make good pets and kids theses days have no clue how to take care of animals.i want to teach kids and people not to be scare of bp and other reptiles.my wife and i going to start some thing for people who don't want there reptiles and give them a good home.We got both of ours bp for free but they are real happy now.we love all of our animals 25 fish,3 mice,3 cats,1 dog 2 bp !!!!****CrAzY*ZoO****!!!

Makes me wonder why people are trying to turn the USA into Russia :( Soon it will be we need passports to travel between states, then travel between cities will be monitored. I really hope this gets shot down like it deserves.

That said I do understand why some of the BIG snakes are a problem. I think they all should be microchiped and have to be registered, then we get the PEOPLE who are causing the problem not hurting the people who are responsible.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by frankykeno

From what I got from a very quick read over. I'll be reading it in depth over the coming week you can't respond by any electronic means i.e. email or fax. You need to write a letter and either mail it or have it hand delivered to the address specified (and they reserve the right to publish your personal information which I'm not overly impressed about :mad:).

---

ya they want you to write it in a letter so they can find all the reptile keepers so they know who to target in , ridiculous raids ..

Is really that bad in US? CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is not enough for the United States? Why ball pythons??? There were excluded from CITES few years ago. It's bit confusing...

In Europe are big snakes under mandatory registration so not anyone can have it... but it's not ban of trade. It's more like "let's not allow anyone to have big or poisonous snakes at home". :confused:

Okay you guys. Florida has already implemented a permit requirement for any snake that can potentially go over 8 feet long. To get the permit, you will need to take some training classes and some government guy will inspect your enclosure. So, it is the best solution in my opinion. Nothing super drastic like banning, but it makes certain that people getting giants know what they're getting into. I don't know how they monitor inter-state sales. All I know is that if you go to the reptile store close to my house, the guys will ask for your permit before you can purchase the big crawlies.

I got this e-mail today:
USARK Introduces Landmark Legislation into NC Senate



In a major reversal of the trend started by the Animal Rights Movement 9 years ago to BAN many reptiles at the State and Local level, USARK has introduced their Model Legislation in North Carolina. If passed Senate Bill 307 (S307) will require caging standards, safety protocols, escape prevention, and registration for venomous, large constrictors and crocodilians, but will allow individuals to maintain their right to work with these animals into perpetuity. This is a truly historic and precedent setting event. This is the first time the Herp Community has actually stood up and done something for themselves... by themselves! Now that we have begun, let us not lose our momentum. USARK, together with YOU, will actively work to secure our collective futures at the Local, State and national levels.
This has set ground breaking precedent for other states to follow. Virginia has already indicated that they want to introduce similar legislation in the 2010 Legislative Session. The Herp Community, through USARK, has taken it's destiny into it's own hands. No longer will we stand idly by and watch our rights disappear. Remember this day for we are making history and securing our own futures.
Click here to thank Senator Jones for introducing S307- we need as many responses as possible!
Read S307- there are some minor mistakes that will be fixed in committee.
Pushing Legislation is expensive! Join the Reptile Nation & Protect Your Rights! JOIN USARK TODAY!
Thank all of you for your support. Together we are accomplishing great things for our community!! Thank you for standing up for yourselves with USARK on this historic day.

***Send this to everyone on your email list... post on the forums and social networking sites you visit. Tell everyone to Join the Reptile Nation!... even if they don't join tell them to sign up on our free email list.

Andrew Wyatt

President USARK

This is really good to hear but if a Federal law comes out banning all reptile trade it trumps anything the states do. I still wonder what will happen to this industry if the ban passes... I guess people who really REALLY want these animals will just have to do some driving and hope they don't get pulled over...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by anatess

Okay you guys. Florida has already implemented a permit requirement for any snake that can potentially go over 8 feet long. To get the permit, you will need to take some training classes and some government guy will inspect your enclosure. So, it is the best solution in my opinion. Nothing super drastic like banning, but it makes certain that people getting giants know what they're getting into. I don't know how they monitor inter-state sales. All I know is that if you go to the reptile store close to my house, the guys will ask for your permit before you can purchase the big crawlies.

---

See, now I would be fine if there were regulations made such as acquiring permits and licenses for certain species of reptiles and snakes that have been looked at as "questionable" than just flat out banning everything entirely. At least with permits/licenses its a type of certification for people who know what they're doing with these animals, and I guess that idea of having "certifications" is a lot better than some ordinary person housing a 12 foot long snake (not to say that ordinary people can't handle these types of things, just look at all the users on here who are living the hobby!)

Even though reptiles and guns are two different issues, the way I look at it is that it would just be like having a permit for a firearm. You've went through the education, practice, training, and a test to acquire a permit to legally have a firearm. IMO i'd rather comply with a set of reasonable (notice that I exaggerated that... the law can sometimes tack on some ridiculous things) guidelines and regulations to house certain types of reptiles and snakes than to just have a ban entirely.

wow. i just saw this thread...if they ban ball pythons i will be amazed. what threat do they impose?? maybe a threat to my neigbors chihuahua but thats about it!

I urge everyone to take this seriously and submit your signature to the online petition. This blanket legislation is very dangerous. I noticed that livestock, dogs and cats are excluded. What was the criteria for that? This bill is based on bogus science. This will destroy the exotic pet hobby and industry in this country. Not only that, it could drive some species into extinction. What of the species that almost entirely exist in American breeding programs, due to the loss of their habitat from deforestation. :salute:

i signed it. how many people have signed it so far and how many you think we will need in order to make a difference

So, um.... what petition? You mean one about what this topic was originally about? Because this topic is over a year old and this stuff went down a year ago. Not right now, now this upcoming April, but last year.

http://www.pijac.org/files/public/US_HR_669.pdf
heres a nice update.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Oxylepy

So, um.... what petition? You mean one about what this topic was originally about? Because this topic is over a year old and this stuff went down a year ago. Not right now, now this upcoming April, but last year.

---

It is true that the bill in this original topic went down last year. Now there is a new one. I'm going to lock this thread so they don't get confused. There are new active threads going about the new bill...as well as announcements at the tops of each forum and front-n-center on the BP.net homepage.