Federal Python BAN

[Skiploder]

Question:
Is there any use in someone who is NOT from Virginia writing in to oppose a Virginia ban?

(Nebraska had a restrictive bill come up here, but thanks to the concerted efforts of the Nebraska Herp Society and some other interests, we won, and it did not pass).

My concern is that getting a bunch of letters from non-residents would be as likely to do more harm than good, but I don't know for certain how that is viewed, which is why I am asking.

You should talk to the California Association of Swap Meets and the Golden State Coral Frag Society.

A few years ago we were facing some legislation in California regarding selling pets at meets, swaps and expos.

USARK and the forum geniuses seemed more interested in other esoteric pursuits, as in figuring out how the punnet square works when you breed a fudge dingleberry het for corn to a tae-bo cougar pied.

The local reptile groups out here soon found out from our State Assembly Reps. that the powerful Swap Meet and Coral Frag Societies fought the good fight and forced in the provisions that ended up protecting the Mighty Reptile Nation.

Maybe the good folks of Virginia can recruit the fraggers and the swappers to help them out. My experience with the Reptile Nation leads me to believe that we need a lot of help with these sort of things.

The other thing you can do is start getting it through people's heads that signing on line petitions regarding the USFWS rule amendment is an abjectly pathetic exercise in idiocy. Efforts need to be focused on reaching out to the various exotic pet societies in the State of Virginia to get them to band together as a unified front against this legislation.

That should include local pet stores, chain pet stores, and the pet supply manufacturers. Someone also needs to keep an eye on USARK to see if they offer up their "model" legislation as a compromise - self-imposed permits and protocols in lieu of outright bans.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Ok...but, that didn't actually answer my question.

[Skiploder]

Ok...but, that didn't actually answer my question.

There is no reason why a national lobbying group (or a coalition thereof + the people of Virginia) cannot make up a big enough stink to beat this off. Will outsiders hurt the cause? Maybe, maybe not.

Careful, the lobbying group may just compromise on this with "model legislation".

[snake lab]

Here in virginia thete are other factors involved in them wanting to be strict with anything potentiallybeing an invasive species. I am an avid outdoorsman and hunter and do alot of work with dmap and virginia is starting to see issues from ferrel hogs. Not to mention the big snakehead issue that started in md and spread into va. Any sniff of another potential invasive species will cause panic. I know i know pythons wouldnt survive but it still has an impact. Another issue is the fact there has been alot of exotic animal issues within the state over big cats and other species. I have talked to a couple friends of mine here, one is a game warden and the other is a wildlife bioligist and they both tell me from what they are hearing virginia is doing alot of huffing and puffing without alot of data to back the ban they are trying to get done.

[wwmjkd]

there are many things I'd like to say at the moment as a Virginia resident and new attorney, but I will hold off until I have done the appropriate legwork. the only thing I can state with confidence is that the general assembly of Virginia huffs and puffs often. then they pass legislation. this is not purely bluster.

[JandDReptiles]

Skiploder... Your point is well taken, by all, the AMMENDMENT has been passes/made to the Lacey Act... We all know what that means. I agree it is pathetic that we can't he 25,000 signatures in less than 2 days in an industry of over 7million... However, the petitions, though weak, can an do mean something if successful in acquiring the numbers needed! Besides that, the best thing to do it to stay in contact with your state senators and wildlife services to make sure they don't pass anything in your state.. Request meetings and express the TRUE FACTS! I personally have already done news stories, and am contacting media sources daily to try to get stories out! Public education is the key! Even if people aren't reptile fans, or keepers if they own a small mammal, fish, dogs, etc are all at risk by the precedent just set here!


Jeremy T.
J and D Reptiles
www.janddreptiles.com

[kitedemon]

I also have a question, as a concerned member of the community I want to help. As a Canadian I am not sure where or what I can do. I have given $ to USARK, I just don't know what else I can do. I would like to help somehow and am open to suggestions!
Alex

[WingedWolfPsion]

Well, the problem is communication--the industry is huge, far-flung, and extremely disconnected, and there are a great many people involved in it who don't participate in forums, and even many who don't have a computer at all. There is a huge pool of casual pet owners out there who right now have no idea that this even happened.

[Skiploder]

https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petition...ening/grQ9mNkN