[Knitebane]

Yes, but if penalties appropriate to the damages done were enacted, there’d be a lot less need.

Of course! Why didn't I think of that?

Why don't they make murder a capital crime? Then no one would commit murder!

And those idiots that slash tires and burn down buildings and throw rocks through windows for political purposes? We can just pass laws against those things with a punishment attached and it won't happen any more! While we're at it, let's make bribery illegal! Then we can stop worrying about our public officials taking money and stashing it in their freezers!

Brilliant!

(Do I really have to add a /sarcasm tag?)

[Paul R.]

I did not say “no need”. I said “less need”. Or are you going to argue that laws and penalties do not reduce crime / have no deterrent effect?