For years, the GOP has proudly held up the elephant as a mascot for their party -- but when it comes to protecting these gentle giants, it seems Republican lawmakers are willing to betray this majestic animal.
The Obama administration recently unveiled new rules that would completely ban the trade of elephant ivory in the US, even "antique" ivory which was previously legal to sell. The new ban is meant to crack down on unethical merchants who lie about ivory's antique status in order to traffic poached ivory into the country.
But Republican lawmakers backed by the National Rifle Association are fighting the ban -- saying that antique gun dealers selling pistols with ivory grips shouldn't have to follow the same rules as everybody else.
It is unbelievable that Congressional Republicans are coming out against regulating the trade in elephant ivory and protecting these endangered species. It is no secret that African elephant populations are in crisis. Over the last two years alone, 50,000 African elephants have been killed by poachers, and allowing any ivory trade in the US only makes the problem worse.
The lives of elephants are so much more important than the ability of collectors to buy and sell antique firearms. We can't let this bill go forward.
Please sign and share this petition telling Congressional Republicans not to roll back Obama's groundbreaking policy to end the US ivory trade!
Dear Congressional Representatives,
The Obama administration has taken sweeping steps to protect elephants from poaching with his new policies against ivory sales -- why are you betraying your party's own mascot by trying to roll back these much-needed protections?
By allowing the sale of antique ivory, you will be encouraging the poaching and death of these majestic, endangered animals, over 50,000 of which have been killed for their tusks in the last two years alone.
We, the undersigned, ask that you please not continue to push this proposed provision forward as part of the Interior House appropriations bill.
Thank you.
