HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) -- Reptile owners from across South Carolina pleaded with lawmakers on Wednesday to defang a bill that in its current form would make it impossible for future generations to own and store venomous snakes. Born out of concerns raised last fall when Florence resident Jeffr ey Leibowitz was bitten as he free handled an inland taipan, conservationists, wildlife experts and a national advocacy group all said House Bill 3937 goes too far in trying to make sure such a thing never happens again. "Banning venomous snake ownership because of one act is as extreme as banning all dog ownership after an attack. It is an overreaction that's going to punish those who have dedicated their lives to safe animal care and education," said Ryan LaPierre, who owns Out of the Ark Educational Animal Shows in Longs. Language in the bill sponsored by state Rep. William Hixon, R-North Augusta would among other things: Require anyone legally in possession of a venomous reptile to apply for a state Department of Natural Resources permit within 90 days of the law being signed Pay a $150 permit application fee Pay a $150 renewal fee after three years Notification to state officials of any temporary or permanent address change Ban on issuing new permits 90 days after the law is signed Exceptions carved into the measure would include reptiles used for exhibition facilities open the public and for medical research. Florence bans ownership of venomous snakes after man bit by inland taipan Of the 16 people who spoke out at a House subcommittee meeting, none were in favor of the measure, and all said they weren't opposed to language clarifying safe caging rules. "We are all here in the hopes of compromise, as your proposal is unjust and also unfair to future generations and the good folks you don't hear about who are doing it right," said Michael Jolliff, owner of Rat Trap Farms in Little River. According to a state Department of Natural Resources fact sheet, just six of South Carolina's 40 native snake species are venomous, and just 660 people have ever died from a snakebite in the United States. Several speakers condemned Leibowitz's actions, saying his cavalier approach to interacting with potentially deadly reptiles gave the broader community a bad name. "What he was doing was extraordinarily dangerous, and nobody in this community wanted him anywhere near venomous snakes," said Tyler Wright, co-owner of the Black Creek Wildlife Center in Bishopsville. "The responsible keepers in this state either should or already do support common sense legislation. We want to make this industry safe. We want to do it responsibly, and we want to do it correctly." No votes were taken Wednesday, and lawmakers said another hearing is likely before the full committee takes action. ...read more read less