On May 2, 2004, at 1:48 PM, [log in to unmask] wrote:
> Virginia has a special criminal statute prohiting the reckless
> handling of snakes so as to endanger human life even one's own. Does
> anyone know the background to this statute?
One would assume this was a 20th century law designed to dissuade the
cult of religious snake handlers in SW VA. An interesting article on
one recently who died after being bitten by one while handling it in
the ceremony.
Lyle Browning
To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html