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Connecticut Bill Would Make Possessing Ivory a Felony
Preying upon Animal Rights groups propaganda about Cecil the Lion, Connecticut introduced SB 227 that would make it a felony to own any object containing any elephant ivory. Thats right 2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for owning a piano with ivory keys, an antique cane with an ivory handle, or a shotgun with an ivory sight bead.
This is the latest iteration of so-called Cecil Laws that ban Big 5 African Species. While these bills arent even consistent about which 5 species they cover, so far they all include elephants, lions and rhinos.
This bill is particularly bad because it goes beyond trade to criminalize possession of any specimen from any named species. The only exception for private owners is if you (1) own a specimen in the state before the law was passed AND (2) get a certificate of possession from Connecticuts Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection. Even if you get the certificate, you cannot sell or trade any covered item. No exceptions for people who come to Connecticut after the law is passed. No exceptions for people who bring ivory or other covered items into the state. The full bill can be found at https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabills...selBillType=Bill&which_year=2016&bill_num=227
For a long time, Ive warned people that the Animal Rights groups use antique and musical instrument exemptions to divide and conquer people who own and trade legal ivory. Here is a prime example of what they will continue to push for. This bill even goes so far as to explicitly authorize searches and seizures in peoples homes if any law enforcement officer gets a warrant based on probable cause belief that you own a piece of ivory or other covered specimen.
The Environment Committee will conduct a public hearing on Friday, March 4, 2016 at 12:30PM in Room 1E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, CT. Sign-ups to testify begin at 8:15 AM. Unless people show up to testify, especially Connecticut voters, this bill or something very close to it is likely to pass.
If you cant testify live, you can submit written testimony to envtestimony@cga.ct.gov. Be sure to identify yourself and the bill (SB 227) on any written testimony.
By the way, for people who are uncomfortable with hunting, I suggest reading http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...effect-leaves-parks-lion-at-risk-of-cull.html. This article, and others like it, show that safari hunting is not poaching, and that stripping this means of generating revenue from conservancies is certain to do far more damage to these species than legal hunts ever could. You dont have to like to hunt to understand the important role it plays in countries that have responsible conservation programs. Dont be tricked into attacking hunters when the underlying policy behind this ban is as bad for the animals as it is for law abiding people.
If you have questions, please write to me at rmitchell@elephantprotection.org.
Rob Mitchell
Elephant Protection Association
If you want us to continue to keep you informed about ivory bans and
Preying upon Animal Rights groups propaganda about Cecil the Lion, Connecticut introduced SB 227 that would make it a felony to own any object containing any elephant ivory. Thats right 2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for owning a piano with ivory keys, an antique cane with an ivory handle, or a shotgun with an ivory sight bead.
This is the latest iteration of so-called Cecil Laws that ban Big 5 African Species. While these bills arent even consistent about which 5 species they cover, so far they all include elephants, lions and rhinos.
This bill is particularly bad because it goes beyond trade to criminalize possession of any specimen from any named species. The only exception for private owners is if you (1) own a specimen in the state before the law was passed AND (2) get a certificate of possession from Connecticuts Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection. Even if you get the certificate, you cannot sell or trade any covered item. No exceptions for people who come to Connecticut after the law is passed. No exceptions for people who bring ivory or other covered items into the state. The full bill can be found at https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabills...selBillType=Bill&which_year=2016&bill_num=227
For a long time, Ive warned people that the Animal Rights groups use antique and musical instrument exemptions to divide and conquer people who own and trade legal ivory. Here is a prime example of what they will continue to push for. This bill even goes so far as to explicitly authorize searches and seizures in peoples homes if any law enforcement officer gets a warrant based on probable cause belief that you own a piece of ivory or other covered specimen.
The Environment Committee will conduct a public hearing on Friday, March 4, 2016 at 12:30PM in Room 1E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, CT. Sign-ups to testify begin at 8:15 AM. Unless people show up to testify, especially Connecticut voters, this bill or something very close to it is likely to pass.
If you cant testify live, you can submit written testimony to envtestimony@cga.ct.gov. Be sure to identify yourself and the bill (SB 227) on any written testimony.
By the way, for people who are uncomfortable with hunting, I suggest reading http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...effect-leaves-parks-lion-at-risk-of-cull.html. This article, and others like it, show that safari hunting is not poaching, and that stripping this means of generating revenue from conservancies is certain to do far more damage to these species than legal hunts ever could. You dont have to like to hunt to understand the important role it plays in countries that have responsible conservation programs. Dont be tricked into attacking hunters when the underlying policy behind this ban is as bad for the animals as it is for law abiding people.
If you have questions, please write to me at rmitchell@elephantprotection.org.
Rob Mitchell
Elephant Protection Association
If you want us to continue to keep you informed about ivory bans and