Im not from the us but from past threads i thought that in Many States you had to have at least a years experience working with hots under the supervision of an experienced keeper of venomous snakes. Even if its not the law in your state, i would want to have that experience and knowledge by working with people who live and breath working with such reptiles. I persnally wouldnt want to keep a hot, just because i had read alot in books without the experience of handeling Them regulary.

Ust my thoughts, but good luck if you decide to get one.