Some honesty in the media

We all know that Laws prevent crimes. Just look around:

Speed Limits: No on EVER speeds anymore because we have laws against it.

Drugs: Because of the strict laws and programs against drugs we have completely eliminated any drug use in America.

Seat Belts: EVERYONE wears their seatbelts for every car trip

Murder: Since America has made murder illegal not a single murder has been committed.

Robbery: Don’t bother to lock your doors, EVERYONE is honest

Immigration: Every person in America is a legal citizen

So all we have to do is crack down on gun control and impose stricter laws and every gun crime will disappear, just like every other crime we have a law against.

Good honest people are not good and honest because of laws, rules, or force. They are good and honest because they, of their own free will, choose to be.

Very true xmirage2kx, but I don't think some of your examples fit very well.

Laws DO prevent crimes. No, they don't stop them altogether, but could you imagine if we had no laws? Would we be more safe? Absolutely not.

What we need is laws with punishments that fit the crimes. If there were no penalties for speeding, would we be better off? No. But we all take a calculated risk of getting in a serious accident or getting a ticket if we speed. This risk is increased in proportion to how much over the speed limit we drive. The punishments and risks balance out well with the crime. Some happily accept the risk of injury or a ticket while speeding, while others don't. Overall, it works out quite well for most all of us.

On the other hand, the problem with murder, drugs, robbery, and illegal immigrants is largely that the punishments do not adequately match the crime. Illegal immigration has virtually no punishment, so why not do it? Murder, drugs, and robbery would likely be less prevalent if we were better at catching violators and better at punishing them. Those that rob know they have a good chance of getting away with it and if they do get caught, the punishment will likely be small. If they ALWAYS got caught and ALWAYS got punished, no one would steal.

But none of these things you list can be related to gun ownership. While it's always wrong to murder, do drugs, or steal, there is absolutely nothing wrong with simply having a gun. There's nothing wrong with using a gun. The only time gun use should be punished is when it is used in connection with another crime, and when done so, the punishment should be greater than without a gun.

I'm not totally disagreeing with you, but I do think there are distinct differences. Just my $.02 (or by the looks of it, around $.25).