I'm contacting you regarding to the S373 Bill.
My husand and I are owners of a reptile business-selling boas and pythons. National, there is a loss of over $2 billion of tax money per year from all reptile business owners. Not only will the US lose tax money, this bill will also close several reptile businesses. When this happens, you are causing people to lose their jobs, will not be able to provide for their families, and possibly cause them to lose their homes. If this bill pasts, my husband and I will be filling for total loss on our taxes, as well as many others who share the same problems we face. So is the US willing to pay back millions of dollars to re-pay the business owners and give them a job that matches their income? Even reptile owners-not businesses-will be able to write off the loss of their property-which are reptiles; because it is a federal law that it states that property is a loss. We will inform everyone that we know-posting on the Internet, newspaper, and any other means necessary- so that they can write it off on their taxes. The loss of the animals will NOT be an imediate loss of the owners, but that of the government. However when the next year rolls around there will be no income from that business and there for the owners will be suffering.
Even if you ban reptiles, it does not make up for the release of burm. pythons before this bill. I strongly suggest to amend this bill by having permits for large constrictors and pythons, not selling to ages under 18, having snakes in an "escape" and "bite" proof cage with working locks. If this can not be done, a fine and federal imprisonment over 2 years if the reptile escape and/or injures someone other than the owner and his/her family. If the animal does happen to kill someone, the owner of the animal should be face with manslaughter charges. YOU MUST TEACH REPSOSABILITY!
If you pass this bill, why not pass a bill for the ban of dogs,-for they kill more people than snakes-cars,-for there are more people killed in car accidents-alcohol,-more people die of drunk drivers-cigarettes,-more people die of lung cancer per year-TV-more kids die every year from mimicking tv performances.
There should be a ban of building new houses and businesses to perseve wildlife habitats because more bears are coming to the cities to find food because they are pushed out of their habitat.
Another point Senator, many of our customers are men and women who are overseas fighting for our freedom. When they get back, you are telling them they cannot own or keep their snakes?
Most reptile owners and business owners put you and other elected officials in office. By passing this bill, do you think that we will keep the people who voted "yes" to this bill to remind in office? There are more people who oppose this bill and suppose reptile ownership than support of this bill. We-the reptile owners-voted for you, and if you can not rally our pleads, we will find other senators who has the same ideas as we do.
Senator, I ask you as an American-land of the free and the freedom to make our own choices whether that causes harm to ourselves- not to take our freedom away. We need to regulate, but not ban and exterminate. We, along with friends and family, support the Humane Society; however, with them being unreasonable, un-American, and in simple terms bullies, we will not support them or anyone else who supports the Humane Society.
Please feel free to contact my husband, William Barbour-owner of Strike Force Reptiles-or myself at 919-344-5937. I hope we have come to terms that this bill is unfair, unreasonable, and a hindance to the freedom and rights of all Americans.
