I am not sure what to say here. Seems like a few people are just looking for justification to shoot their gun! I am sorry, but the example of a toddler in a swing set is just comical. No other words for it. If a rattler, or any other snake for that matter, is within striking distance, and you "think" it is safe to shoot the snake....man you need some more training on safety. No offense meant, but that situation is nothing more than a reach...
Snakes do not seek out people to harm. A rattler has a rattle for a reason. To warn you of its presence. A copperhead blends in for a reason. To shielf itself from you. A coral snake is brightly colored to warn you to leave it alone.
Are we that removed from nature? Yes I understand that situations arise, but I can not imagine ANY situation where you would be in that you could not retreat from a snake without shooting your way out. Okay, one. You are a rock climber who slips and gets his arm trapped under a boulder that he can not move and has to cut his arm off. Wait...didn't they make that into a movie?
Seems like a few people need to put their big girl panties on....
