I am somewhat thankful for the "hot" keeping laws in this county. You must have suitable caging and facilities for your animals, suffer through a home, facility and safety inspection before you can even legally purchase an animal or permits will not be approved. Yes, the permit process is stringent, but it keeps people from learning with their lives and/or the lives of their children or pets.
I know, more restrictions to our right to keep our strange pets, but in this instance I think the laws, for this county anyways, are set up quite effectively and keep the "average idiot" from purchasing a fascinating and beautiful species of animal just to be
"COOL".
Right now I can go over to a friend's house and watch his Gabby grow. She is in a huge, triple locked, plywood and safety glass, natural viv. I asked my friend about all the locks and he told me that while he's unlocking them he is reminded of why they are there, so he never gets too lax with her. No, the permit process only requires one lock, he added the others. Overkill, perhaps, but with a Gabby, probably effective!
Watching her has made me decide to wait a bit before I request a permit. She's beautiful, awesome in fact, she is a living example of the astounding diversity of this planet...and I respect her defenses. Someday I will get an eyelash viper, but until I feel I'm ready I can relish my time with "Muffin"...Yes, her name is Muffin...don't ask me why!
Edit: Just to clarify, Muffin is never out of her cage when I am present. I can see her and she can see me, but that is all.