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Other thread discussions often bring up the question if having a law prohibiting a behavior is worthwhile, since some laws are hard to enforce, and it has even been suggested some laws are not enforced by choice of the police.
One of the purposes of laws is to protect the public. But that comes at the price of regulating the behavior of the masses, and taking away some “privileges” (for lack of a better word).
For example, the no-smoking law . Some people want to smoke in a bar, but that puts the staff at risk. [And it is going unenforced, so why bother with having the law.]
The possibility of banning fireworks (except for professional displays) comes to mind. Some people love the New Years festivities, but it puts people with lung disease at risk, and there is a fire risk to us all. [But it might be hard to enforce, so why bother.]
Many states require helmets for motorcycle riders. Some riders love the wind in their hair and are willing to take the chance of a head injury, but that puts the taxpayer at risk if there are large medical bills for the uninsured or permanent injury resulting in not being able to work. [This one is easily enforced.]
Do you have examples of laws that you like because they offer needed protections for the masses? Or laws you dislike because they infringe on your behavior? Or laws that might as well be taken off the books because they are not enforced or perceived as unenforceable?
One of the purposes of laws is to protect the public. But that comes at the price of regulating the behavior of the masses, and taking away some “privileges” (for lack of a better word).
For example, the no-smoking law . Some people want to smoke in a bar, but that puts the staff at risk. [And it is going unenforced, so why bother with having the law.]
The possibility of banning fireworks (except for professional displays) comes to mind. Some people love the New Years festivities, but it puts people with lung disease at risk, and there is a fire risk to us all. [But it might be hard to enforce, so why bother.]
Many states require helmets for motorcycle riders. Some riders love the wind in their hair and are willing to take the chance of a head injury, but that puts the taxpayer at risk if there are large medical bills for the uninsured or permanent injury resulting in not being able to work. [This one is easily enforced.]
Do you have examples of laws that you like because they offer needed protections for the masses? Or laws you dislike because they infringe on your behavior? Or laws that might as well be taken off the books because they are not enforced or perceived as unenforceable?
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