Update on Ivory ban from an Ivory dealer

Hugh · 06-05-2014, 05:10 PM

From: David Warther [mailto:warther@roadrunner.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2014 2:22 PM
To: 'David Warther'
Subject: Ivory ban and Ivory

Dear Everyone,

The Federal Government is working on a multi-phase program to make the interstate sale of pre-ban (pre-1990) illegal. They are doing this work thru US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) regulations. Regulations are made by agencies whereas laws are made by Congress but regulations are enforced as if they are law.

One of the phases of their plan was a regulation recently put into place that will become effective June 26th. This particular phase of their plan is primarily about rules for new ivory coming into the US now from big game hunting. A part of this regulation needs clarity and we do not have that clarity yet. Since my plan is to sell legal ivory until it is no longer legal to do so I currently plan on ceasing shipments/sales after June 20th unless we have clarity by then on an aspect of this regulation that affects pre-ban ivory. We will resume sales after we are clear it is legal to do so. The regulation phase specifically addressing pre-ban ivory will come at a later date and that is the one that clearly will make pre-ban ivory illegal to sell across state lines should it be adopted.

Many people are fighting this new wave of regulations that address old pre-act ivory in the hands of honest Americans. I encourage interested individuals to call, email or write to their Congressman and Senators as soon as possible. Your voices count ! Below my signature in this email is a sample letter you can use when contacting your elected reps. There is no bill number because this is a series of regulations, not a bill. The most important thing we can do now is reach out to our reps and ask them to implement a " Time Out " on Fish & Wildlife (see letter below). Important lobbying groups are working with them now to make them aware what USFWS is doing via regulation and these reps need to hear from you so they know for sure that others besides lobbyists are concerned. We are simply trying to get Congress to intervene the regulatory process so a hearing can be held where the voice of people like you and I can be heard on this important topic.

Lastly, we have been very busy since December with orders from everyone. Folks want to get ivory into their state before interstate commerce becomes illegal - if USFWS wins this battle. As mentioned, until I obtain clarification on an aspect of this new regulation I will not be shipping ivory after 20 June so place your orders soon.

Sincerely ,

David Warther

330-343-1865

www.guitarpartsandmore.com

Here is the sample letter :

Dear Congressman/Senator _______________:

I, like all Americans, find the out-of-control poaching of African elephants appalling. Unfortunately, instead of going after poachers, smugglers and traders of illicit ivory, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has begun to introduce a series of regulations that will result in making it illegal to sell pre-ban ivory, in any form, in the United States. This misguided effort will harm many Americans but will not save one elephant.

A Domestic Ivory Ban would irreparably harm owners of antiques, musical instruments and any items containing ivory legally imported into this country decades ago by stripping their value - a taking of BILLIONS of dollars from law-abiding Americans. The ban would criminalize legitimate business owners & job-creators and cause immediate financial loss to many Americans who own antique and pre-act ivory items. Jobs as simple as piano moving will be affected because pianos with ivory key tops will not be allowed to sell or transport across state lines.

The proposed ban would punish me by ( insert your story here) …

Adding insult to injury, the ban goes against USFWS's longstanding position that almost all ivory in the US was legally imported before elephants were listed as endangered species and its sale in the US has no impact on poaching in Africa. Now their position is that Americans who have traded legal ivory need to be punished to set an example for people in China whom everyone agrees are the overwhelming buyers of illicit ivory.

We need a "Time Out" in this broken, runaway process so the views and concerns of legitimate businesses and innocent ivory owners can be considered in a policy that actually stops elephant poaching. As one of your constituents I request that you consider supporting an appropriations provision that would essentially freeze in place ivory regulations as they were on February 1, 2014. I hope that the administration will consider the negative effects the proposed ban would have on law-abiding ivory owners, like myself, and instead would take constructive steps towards stopping poaching and the illicit trade of ivory.

Sincerely,

your name

Zorba · 06-06-2014, 01:06 PM

This makes things like pianos with ivory keyboards difficult to move/sell. Ridiculous.

nukem556 · 06-06-2014, 05:55 PM

The thing is, our lords and masters in the Congress don't really care what you think. And if you really think about it, the only purpose of a longstanding professional legislative body IS to come up with more things and actions to ban. That's what they do.

jagervw · 06-07-2014, 12:19 AM

My neighbor is a large investor in these works - USFWS/government has no clue as to the realities of the ivory trade.

Cut off the Chinese desire and you have worked well to stop the killings. Much like shark-fin soup.

dalek · 07-09-2014, 10:44 PM

Remember they have to look they are doing something, kinda like the though-on-crime laws they love to pass.

Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of
Congress. But then I repeat myself. -- Mark Twain

Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean
politics won't take an interest in you! -- Pericles (430 B.C.)

No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
-- Mark Twain (1866)

06-05-2014, 05:10 PM	#1
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 166 Times in 65 Posts	Update on Ivory ban from an Ivory dealer From: David Warther [mailto:warther@roadrunner.com] Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2014 2:22 PM To: 'David Warther' Subject: Ivory ban and Ivory Dear Everyone, The Federal Government is working on a multi-phase program to make the interstate sale of pre-ban (pre-1990) illegal. They are doing this work thru US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) regulations. Regulations are made by agencies whereas laws are made by Congress but regulations are enforced as if they are law. One of the phases of their plan was a regulation recently put into place that will become effective June 26th. This particular phase of their plan is primarily about rules for new ivory coming into the US now from big game hunting. A part of this regulation needs clarity and we do not have that clarity yet. Since my plan is to sell legal ivory until it is no longer legal to do so I currently plan on ceasing shipments/sales after June 20th unless we have clarity by then on an aspect of this regulation that affects pre-ban ivory. We will resume sales after we are clear it is legal to do so. The regulation phase specifically addressing pre-ban ivory will come at a later date and that is the one that clearly will make pre-ban ivory illegal to sell across state lines should it be adopted. Many people are fighting this new wave of regulations that address old pre-act ivory in the hands of honest Americans. I encourage interested individuals to call, email or write to their Congressman and Senators as soon as possible. Your voices count ! Below my signature in this email is a sample letter you can use when contacting your elected reps. There is no bill number because this is a series of regulations, not a bill. The most important thing we can do now is reach out to our reps and ask them to implement a " Time Out " on Fish & Wildlife (see letter below). Important lobbying groups are working with them now to make them aware what USFWS is doing via regulation and these reps need to hear from you so they know for sure that others besides lobbyists are concerned. We are simply trying to get Congress to intervene the regulatory process so a hearing can be held where the voice of people like you and I can be heard on this important topic. Lastly, we have been very busy since December with orders from everyone. Folks want to get ivory into their state before interstate commerce becomes illegal - if USFWS wins this battle. As mentioned, until I obtain clarification on an aspect of this new regulation I will not be shipping ivory after 20 June so place your orders soon. Sincerely , David Warther 330-343-1865 www.guitarpartsandmore.com Here is the sample letter : Dear Congressman/Senator _______________: I, like all Americans, find the out-of-control poaching of African elephants appalling. Unfortunately, instead of going after poachers, smugglers and traders of illicit ivory, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has begun to introduce a series of regulations that will result in making it illegal to sell pre-ban ivory, in any form, in the United States. This misguided effort will harm many Americans but will not save one elephant. A Domestic Ivory Ban would irreparably harm owners of antiques, musical instruments and any items containing ivory legally imported into this country decades ago by stripping their value - a taking of BILLIONS of dollars from law-abiding Americans. The ban would criminalize legitimate business owners & job-creators and cause immediate financial loss to many Americans who own antique and pre-act ivory items. Jobs as simple as piano moving will be affected because pianos with ivory key tops will not be allowed to sell or transport across state lines. The proposed ban would punish me by ( insert your story here) … Adding insult to injury, the ban goes against USFWS's longstanding position that almost all ivory in the US was legally imported before elephants were listed as endangered species and its sale in the US has no impact on poaching in Africa. Now their position is that Americans who have traded legal ivory need to be punished to set an example for people in China whom everyone agrees are the overwhelming buyers of illicit ivory. We need a "Time Out" in this broken, runaway process so the views and concerns of legitimate businesses and innocent ivory owners can be considered in a policy that actually stops elephant poaching. As one of your constituents I request that you consider supporting an appropriations provision that would essentially freeze in place ivory regulations as they were on February 1, 2014. I hope that the administration will consider the negative effects the proposed ban would have on law-abiding ivory owners, like myself, and instead would take constructive steps towards stopping poaching and the illicit trade of ivory. Sincerely, your name __________________ *TRUMP FOR PREZ IN '20!*

06-06-2014, 01:06 PM	#2
Zorba User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Merritt Island, Fl Posts: 952 Thanks: 777 Thanked 528 Times in 290 Posts	This makes things like pianos with ivory keyboards difficult to move/sell. Ridiculous.

06-06-2014, 05:55 PM	#3
nukem556 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 625 Thanks: 35 Thanked 168 Times in 107 Posts	The thing is, our lords and masters in the Congress don't really care what you think. And if you really think about it, the only purpose of a longstanding professional legislative body IS to come up with more things and actions to ban. That's what they do.

06-07-2014, 12:19 AM	#4
jagervw User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: S. Florida Posts: 47 Thanks: 52 Thanked 26 Times in 13 Posts	My neighbor is a large investor in these works - USFWS/government has no clue as to the realities of the ivory trade. Cut off the Chinese desire and you have worked well to stop the killings. Much like shark-fin soup.

07-09-2014, 10:44 PM	#5
dalek User Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Remember they have to look they are doing something, kinda like the though-on-crime laws they love to pass. Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But then I repeat myself. -- Mark Twain Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you! -- Pericles (430 B.C.) No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session. -- Mark Twain (1866)