“The person targeted by the handgun has every rational reason to fear that his life or health is in serious jeopardy by such an act, despite the gun pointer knowing that the gun isn’t loaded. The act is STILL A CRIME by causing alarm through a fear of injury. That’s why bank robbers with a fake gun can still be charged with armed robbery.”
Further, the person on the business end of that gun often HOPES to take the bullet. They have parties to accomplish this.
The gun isn’t pointed at each other, it’s pointed at the rest of society. And that’s why it should be illegal.
Yes, every HIV infection is a threat to society through "leaks." Ask the thousands of hemophiliacs who died in the 80's and 90's.