Since I’ve been active in discussions lately, this one has popped up numerous times
If we make X illegal, criminals will have to consider the consequences and thus will limit the number of crimes committed
I’ll give you a brief moment to compose yourself after laughing so hard.
OK, I’m going to gloss over the whole “If they’re willing to kill you over the contents of your wallet / cash register, I highly doubt they’re going to concern themselves about the extra 5 years they’ll get on top of their life / death sentence for having a concealed weapon without a license” thing as that’s another discussion altogether.
I have a question to ask you, and you’re not allowed to look up the answer – What is the penalty in your state for manufacturing methamphetamine? How many years?
I’m willing to bet the vast majority of my readers can’t answer that question. In fact, I don’t even know. Now, what makes you think a criminal is going to be deterred by a penalty that he or she is more than likely not aware of?
As is my normal go-to joke for stupid laws, here in Florida we have §828.1231
828.1231 Sale of garments or items of clothing containing dog or cat fur prohibited; sale of pelt of any dog or cat prohibited; penalty. — (1) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly sell or offer for sale, directly or indirectly, at wholesale or at retail, in this state any garment, or any item of clothing or apparel that is made, in whole or in part, from the fur of any dog or cat, or which contains or to which is attached any dog or cat fur. (2) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly sell or offer for sale, directly or indirectly, at wholesale or at retail, or to give away, in this state the pelt of any dog or cat. (3) Any person who violates the provisions of this section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Upon a second or subsequent conviction for a violation of this subsection, the offender commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
828.1231
Sale of garments or items of clothing containing dog or cat fur prohibited; sale of pelt of any dog or cat prohibited; penalty. — (1)
It is unlawful for any person to knowingly sell or offer for sale, directly or indirectly, at wholesale or at retail, in this state any garment, or any item of clothing or apparel that is made, in whole or in part, from the fur of any dog or cat, or which contains or to which is attached any dog or cat fur. (2)
It is unlawful for any person to knowingly sell or offer for sale, directly or indirectly, at wholesale or at retail, or to give away, in this state the pelt of any dog or cat. (3)
Any person who violates the provisions of this section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Upon a second or subsequent conviction for a violation of this subsection, the offender commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
So, someone is sitting around the house and makes a wise crack about being tired of one of their cats constantly horking up furballs jokingly suggested turning the feline into a set of gloves and offers them to his friend.
That person just committed a misdemeanor. The second time would be a felony.
How many people in Florida do you think are well aware of §828.1231? I’m personally confused as to why any cat gets special protection against being turned into a fur lined piece of clothing and while I admit I can’t see too many people skinning Mittens for a pair of socks, I don’t see it as any worse than wearing leather or any other animal fur.
I assume this law was put into place to protect possibly the Florida Panther, but unless everyone is well aware of the statutes, how is it an effective deterrent?
The same goes for they myriad of gun laws. Just making something illegal doesn’t really get the message across. Does Winston J. Thornton the IV really know exactly what the penalty is going to be for robbing the Country Club to pay for his Polo habit? No. Primarily, a criminal thinks “Will I get caught?” rather than “I’ll rob this store with a sharp stick because if I had a gun, I’d get 15 more years”.
To claim making certain parts of a firearm illegal will somehow force criminals to consider what they’re considering doing is laughable.