As Connecticut lawmakers debated a flawed ivory ban bill, New York City prepared for an historic ivory crush to draw attention to the poaching crisis for elephants. Tons of confiscated illegal ivory will be destroyed to prevent future commerce with it. U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the ghovernor and mayor of New York, and African dignitaries will preside at the June 16 event. Even Prince William has recently called for the destruction of all ivory in the royal collection from Buckingham Palace. 

But some Connecticut lawmakers, shamefully, want to allow dealers to continue selling antique ivory in our state. Arguing its cultural and historical significance, their pleas carry no weight when measured against extinction of a keystone species. (Antique ivory has always been a cover for newly poached ivory and thus continuing death for elephants).

Connecticut’s bill already has a generous exemption for museums and historical societies, so the only motive for this giant loophole is profit. Lawmakers should support amendment LCO 7261 that, like New York’s law, closes commercial loopholes while allowing ivory if less than 20 percent of an antique. Connecticut should be on the right side of history.

Marta Daniels

Chester

Editor’s note: Daniels is a Chester antiques dealer of 30 years.