In The News
KATU: Endangered species initiative backed by Paul Allen qualifies for WA ballot
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Photo by Photo: Julian Mason/Flickr CC
KATU reported the exciting news that the Secretary of State has qualified I-1401 for the November Ballot
Voters in the state of Washington this fall will be able to decide whether the state should ban the selling and trading of endangered species and their body parts.
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In Washington, signature gatherers are required to submit 246,372 valid signatures to get their initiative on the ballot. A spokesman for Secretary of State Kim Wyman said supporters turned in more than 347,000 signatures. A random sampling of those signatures verified enough were valid.
If approved by voters, I-1401 would ban the “purchase, sale, and distribution of products made from a list of 10 endangered animals” that face extinction, according to the initiative supporters’ website, Save Animals Facing Extinction.
A person convicted of the illegal trafficking of endangered animals could face misdemeanor and felony charges and be fined at least $2,000. The money would be paid to the state treasurer for distribution to the fish and wildlife enforcement reward account.
The initiative exempts some things like if the animal is used for educational and scientific purposes or is in a museum. It also exempts musical instruments that contain less than 15 percent by volume of animal parts from endangered species.
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The National Rifle Association has expressed concerns about the initiative because ivory from the tusks, such as from elephants, is found in some pistol grips.
You can read the full story here.