So, as someone who lives in NC, and keeps or has kept Burms, Retics, Venomous, and Crocodilians, I thought I should at least say something here. Early on, in one of your first posts, you consider the law that we have in our state (the "model legislation") as a sort of ban. When, in all reality, the law we have here (IMO) didn't force us to do anything we shouldn't already have been doing. Locks on cages? Having them labeled? Secure transport? These were all things responsible owners were already doing. So, to have a law on the books that requires it, instead of just outright BANNING everything...not too big of a deal to me.
I understand the concern about random law enforcement officers going through your things, and that's why I and others I associate with in this hobby have made a point to reach out to our local Law enforcement agencies, and try to establish a positive relationship with them. They've never ONCE come down my driveway to do an inspection, or try and confiscate animals, but what they have done (and continue to do), is call us every time they have a snake related "issue" that they get a 911 call on. Several times a year, I go and remove a black rat snake from someones yard, because some hysterical person has called 911 over the "giant poisonous snake on the porch". Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that my situation is the norm, or that everyone will have that same relationship. My point is, I took it upon myself to reach out to our local cops, animal control, and fire departments, and now I'm known as someone to call if they have a reptile related issue they don't know what to do with.
Also, Don't get me wrong, I understand your issues with the potential misuse of some of the verbiage of the law. But, as others have pointed out, the "model legislation" is something to be used instead of an outright ban. I personally am quite alright with "having" to put locks on my Tree Vipers, and have appropriately mandated caging for the crocodilians I have, especially since that means that I still get to keep them.
As far as the $12,000 spent on hotel rooms...do the math. There are reptile shows almost every weekend of the year, sometimes multiple shows on the same weekend, that USARK may want to have a presence at. So, $12,000 divided by 52 weekends is $230 a weekend. If they've got multiple shows in a weekend, possibly with people staying at each show...for 2, maybe 3 nights... $230 a weekend really isn't that much. I know when we do shows, we stay at least Friday and Saturday nights, and a lot of times in the bigger cities, that may still cost us $180. If you think that's an abuse of funds, and that Andrew or whatever other representative should sleep in their cars or BEHIND the USARK table, on the floor. Great. Happy for you. Just make sure you don't contribute any money to them, and then you don't have to worry about an abuse of your money.
Oh, and the $150,000 spent lobbying...any idea what other industries are spending? Assuming you're implying that $150,000 is some ridiculous amount, spend a little time researching, and you'll realize how LITTLE $150,000 really is in the Lobbying world. The NRA in 2010 spent over $2.6 Million in lobbying alone. The National CHICKEN COUNCIL spent $330,000. That's right, the Chicken Council spent more money than USARK on lobbying.... And the HSUS isn't running a national campaign against Chickens supposedly turned lose and wreaking havoc on the everglades. Just my thoughts on it all.
How do we compare guns to snakes. it takes an action from a person to pull a trigger to make a gun fire. A snake is always wild even if they are captive bred and raised they are all unpredictable. no one can predict a snake bite they are random at best.
