Crack pots, insanity, and some really sick human beings

Snakes provide a variety of ecosystem services, not the least of which is rodent control. This is a free service provide by nature. However, like much of what is free, Republicans insist on privatizing it so somebody can make a profit.

Arizona HB2022 failed on a tie vote yesterday (April 10, 2017). The bill, if passed, would have allowed citizens to shoot "snake shot" within city limits in the State of Arizona. The Arizona Daily Star today (April 11) attributes the failure of the bill to a letter from Mike Cardwell an employee of the San Bernadino County Sherrif's office (California) and a herpetologist. Kudo's to Mike for sending the letter. The Cardwell letter included the following "The bottom line when it comes to destroying small animals like rattlesnakes is that that gun fire presents a much greater danger to by-standers than the snake itself."

Where is the Hantavirus when you need?  Oh, the snakes are controlling the rodents that carry it! The New Mexico Department of Health announced April 7th that a 54-year-old man from San Juan County has died of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). This is the second case of HPS confirmed in New Mexico this year. Snakes control rodents that carry this virus and reduce the probability that it will be transmitted to humans.

Just so you understand where this kind of proposed legislation comes from - here is the argument for the law, made by Chris Eger, at Guns.com. The comments that accompany this post are eye-opening.

A House measure advancing through committee would allow the use of specialty ammo inside Arizona cities for snakes and rats but is drawing fire from animal rights groups.
The bill, proposed earlier this month in the state House, has been winding its way through hearings and has gotten an initial nod from lawmakers, though its sponsor cautions it is not an animal regulation proposal.
“It’s a firearms bill,” said Rep. Jay Lawrence, R-Scottsdale. “It’s not a bill that deals with harming snakes or rats or any other vermin, it merely is a firearms bill.”
Lawrence’s measure, HB 2022, would amend state law to allow the use of rat or snake shot to control pests. The cartridges, instead of using a solid bullet, utilize a plastic cap or shell that holds a quantity of small diameter shot. The bill’s language only allows for .22 caliber shot rounds with pellets 1.3mm or less in diameter.
Currently, only the use of blanks is allowed within city limits to control pests.
Not all are impressed by the bill, especially reptile advocates who point out there are at least four species of endangered snakes at large in Arizona.
Russ Johnson of the Phoenix Herpetological Society told local media the proposal is fraught with pitfalls.
“Do we really want people shooting guns in the city limits next to houses?” said Johnson. “You’re talking about shooting rats. So you’re shooting on your rooftop, so you got bird shot spraying everywhere. OK, if you’re shooting a snake, you’re pointing down. You’re gonna get a ricochet even though it’s pellet.”
HB 2022 has passed both the JPS and Rules committees.
Filed Under: Ammunition, Politics & 2nd Amendment