Sunday, July 15, 2018

How Virtuous is a Law that Allows You to Look for an Excuse to Kill?

   From that great source Wikipedia, we learn that the term "Make My Day Law" came about in 1985, when Colorado created a law shielding folks from legal liability for using force against home invaders. 
   The term, "Make My Day Law." comes from a Clint Eastwood movie, of course, being a reference to the line, "Go ahead, make my day." The meaning, as Wikipedia points out, is, "Do something, so I'll have an excuse to kill you."
   Now, if we're passing laws saying gun rights advocates can look for excuses to kill, that isn't a good thing. There is too much power in the gun lobby. Say all you like about Second Amendment rights, but it remains, this is not a good law. It is wrong, what it allows.
   How influential are movies? Do they affect our values? Do they affect what laws we pass? How virtuous is a law that gives people the right to look for excuses to kill?
   Being a conservative in 2018 isn't the same as being one 50 years ago. I do so wonder but what principled conservatives back then wouldn't have seen such laws are not good. Ronald Reagan was a conservative hero of mine. The "Make My Day Laws" came about in the middle of his administration, but they were state laws, not federal. I do wonder if he would have signed such a bill, and hope he would not have. 

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