Well, this is complicated. First, it depends by what you mean as a "pet". Nobody should ever keep a "hot" snake as a pet, especially not anything in the elapidae or viperidae family. If you have one of these animals, it is more of a display or observational animal. I find them fascinating. But it is not a "pet". You need to have a secure cage, this really goes for any snake, but even moreso here. As well as plenty of experience handling aggressive snakes. If your in America, you should have proper antivenin on hand, as most of America still only has crofab readily available, and this is only really effective for Crotalus species (north american pit vipers.) You wouldn't want to rely on a hospital to have enough of the proper antivenin for a elapid or true viper bite as fast as you may need it.
I think most of the bites experienced people take from these are from carelessness. You handle a snake for a long time, you think you know it's temperament, and you let part of your guard down. I got bit last night, my fault, feeding a little girl here. It was late, I was tired, she was ready to eat, and came out striking when I opened the container and missed the mouse. Difference is all I needed was a cotton ball with some peroxide.
I have seen certain species of captive bred venomous snakes that are beautiful, and seem completely tame and handleable, which they may be. But people sometimes get caught up in that, and forget the risk that comes with it. I have always thought these are beautiful and calm animals:
I have thought of getting certain species of rear fanged coulbrids, which would considered the safer versions of "hot" snakes. But I won't, simply because I have two daughters, and you really can't allow something like that in the house. You would have to have a locking cage. Not worth the risk.