Overkill

There are good reasons to ban the trade in modern ivory products.  But what of antiques with historical and artistic value?  Or, ancient artifacts like Byzantine ivory diptychs?  That's where overkill comes in.   And that's exactly what's now happening in New York State where New York's Governor, at the behest of Hillary Clinton and wildlife advocates, has pushed through a bill that bans the sale of any antique with an ivory content over 20%.  The provision in the bill should be rethought-- the idea that sales of antique ivory encourage the sale of modern ivory is without evidentiary support.