Free the Ferrets?

Ferret lovers believe that California may be on the brink of finally legalizing the pets (which are banned in just two states, here and Hawaii).

The state Legislature passed a measure granting residency to the furry critters -- and now it's just up to Governator Schwarzenegger to sign it into law.

So why are ferret fans so optimistic? As the L.A. Times reports, Schwarzenegger co-starred with a ferret in that film classic, "Kindergarten Cop."

Writes the paper: Ferret fans... suspect that Schwarzenegger's experience in "Kindergarten Cop" will make him inclined to favor their bill. In the movie, he plays a police detective who goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher. With the help of his pet ferret, he calms a roomful of wild children — and catches a killer.

Ferret partisans note that in "Kindergarten Cop," the animal is portrayed as kid-friendly and heroic. Perhaps, they hope, that reflects the governor's view.

But Jeanne Carley, co-founder of Californians for Ferret Legalization, believes Schwarzenegger would be naturally drawn to the bill because it would remedy an instance in which state bureaucrats "have clearly overreached."