In a perfect world your idea would be good..however, it would cost to maintain a data base such as what you propose in your idea, who would absorb the cost, the responsibility for maintaining and such? Also, it would not neccessarily make sure the animals themselves are kept better, anyone can watch a video and still keep the animal in a wrong/harmful/stupid manner. Also, getting such permits/certificates would most likely also have a cost of its own. Paperwork can still be lost in the mail, etc... or stuck on some over worked persons desk..slowing the process down. Furthermore, most pet shops would not take the time to "check" the validity of ones permit/certificate, and in this day and age it is rather easy to forge things such as this. And how many breeders are going to want to take the time to do those things also? Probably not many. In reality, how many ppl are going to pay for a class to get a permit? This kind of regulating who can and who cannot purchase certain reptiles may create a "black market" of sorts for even the most common of animals due to ppl not wanting to pay for a class/permit/certificate.

As far as changing laws already in place, I would think it would be a matter of starting a petition to get a law struck down, but getting enough ppl in one community to back that may be aweful hard. Lets face it, there are more ppl out there who are ignorant of reptiles and it is those that have helped to get such laws put into place. Unless you have alot of money and a way to get plenty of lobbyist together to help fight these laws, I just dont know that there is much we can do once the laws are in place.

I can understand your frustration, as I feel it too, but it is our job, as responsible herp keepers to help educated where we can, and lead by example. There are always going to be ppl out there who will not take care of the herps/reptiles they purchase the right way, no matter what we do.