I know there are much more pressing issues going on in the world today, but I wanted to take a break from all that and ask what you all think about this ban on laser pointers. I live in NYC and went through hell trying to get a laser pointer today. I want one because my cat loves to play with them. I eventually had to drive 15 minutes to Long Island to purchase one, but it really got me thinking.
Apparently stories about stupid people pointing lasers at low flying aircraft, bus drivers, etc. are making the headlines these days in my area. These laser pointers have been around for years, so don't ask me why just now all of a sudden people are misusing them.
Anyway, now the government has supposedly banned them in the 5 boroughs of NYC, and it got me itching to come here and see what my fellow liberty lovers propose to be the free-market solution to this problem.
You see, as freedom-loving individuals I'm sure we can all agree the nanny state coming in to ban lasers is another government overreach, but as sensible people we also know there are inherent dangers regarding people pointing high powered lasers where they shouldn't be pointing them. In a society and government structured as we have in present-day America, what is the most common-sense approach to dealing with this issue?
As I began to think of true free-market solutions, I thought that if we lived in a society where government did not own property and land was privately owned, do you think it would be likely that private land owners would voluntarily place a ban on the sale and possession of laser pointers on their land? If they were shown to pose that great of a risk to aircraft and transit vehicles, do you think this would be a likely scenario in a society of privately owned land?
I would just really like people's opinions on this so I can get a better understanding of the issue. Sorry if it is not the most exciting topic of debate, but driving around today looking for these things got me thinking!
Apparently stories about stupid people pointing lasers at low flying aircraft, bus drivers, etc. are making the headlines these days in my area. These laser pointers have been around for years, so don't ask me why just now all of a sudden people are misusing them.
Anyway, now the government has supposedly banned them in the 5 boroughs of NYC, and it got me itching to come here and see what my fellow liberty lovers propose to be the free-market solution to this problem.
You see, as freedom-loving individuals I'm sure we can all agree the nanny state coming in to ban lasers is another government overreach, but as sensible people we also know there are inherent dangers regarding people pointing high powered lasers where they shouldn't be pointing them. In a society and government structured as we have in present-day America, what is the most common-sense approach to dealing with this issue?
As I began to think of true free-market solutions, I thought that if we lived in a society where government did not own property and land was privately owned, do you think it would be likely that private land owners would voluntarily place a ban on the sale and possession of laser pointers on their land? If they were shown to pose that great of a risk to aircraft and transit vehicles, do you think this would be a likely scenario in a society of privately owned land?
I would just really like people's opinions on this so I can get a better understanding of the issue. Sorry if it is not the most exciting topic of debate, but driving around today looking for these things got me thinking!
