Joe...hey, at least we got something in common. I too cannot resist posting on this topic time after time. Hey, we both feel passionately about the issue, that's good. Only difference is, I'm right! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Quote : "Let me understand you correctly, you are seriously posting that the reason for having restrictive drug laws is so that children will not use them?"
I was merely using what you tossed at me in an earlier post. Here's the quote:
"I beleive that it is better that every kid in the neighborhood become a cocaine addict, etc.... than to infringe on one person's rights unnecessarily."
You are absolutely right in that I cannot keep my son from doing what he wants to do. If he wants to get to the kitchen knives, he will. However, I will not make things easier for him by leaving them laying around easily accessible. Plus, they are in a drawer he knows not to touch. Therefore, in order to get to the forbidden knife, he is trespassing in forbidden territory. Double barrier, so to speak. (I hope I am not confusing you with Parent talk). It would be irresponsible of me to give him easy access to things that could hurt him, especially since he does not know better himself.
Why do we not allow children to purchase firearms, but allow adults to do the same? Because it is a graded approach.
Like I stated earlier, it doesn't take a lot of brains to know most illegal drugs are pretty bad for you. With alcohol, there is a lot of "in-between" between non-drinkers and alcoholics. With most illegal drugs, that space is much more narrow. I know because I've been there. The "occasional" user of cocaine and heroine is extremely rare.
So, the extremely negative effects of those drugs are well known. Addicts are a burden on our society.
Additionally, our laws do not only exist to criminalize people. They are there to establish a moral framework within which our society functions.
Our society, with its drug laws, says that the trade and usage of those drugs are not okay. What good could come of it?
Society enacts these laws to protect itself from the negative effects of the drugs. Unproductive members of society, drug crime, etc. Even if drugs were legal, addicts would commit crime to finance their habit. Prevention is not the only function a law has. It should also establish a reasonable punishment for what society feels is unacceptable behavior.
If this potential for punishment is gone (through legalization) you will (for sure) have more people acting on their desires, thus creating problems for society.
You cannot apply the same logic to guns.
