You need clear, established laws for a civilized society. So everyone is working under the same rules, in theory.Ty wrote:
But don't you agree that it is appropriate for people to be taught that there are rules and they should follow them? That they should show that they at least have the minimum knowledge and understanding to be trusted with a car or a gun? The understanding of these rules doesn't prevent all gun harm here either, that doesn't mean they're worthless. Just like my criticism of your three steps. What they do may not be enough but there is a significant benefit in having them.
But you can't legislate common sense, compassion, or responsibility.
On the contrary, the more laws you make, the more you absolve the populous of relying on their own ethics, common sense, compassion, and responsibility. Once you reach that bureaucratic leviathan of a society, where there is a law for every detail, people begin to take the attitude of 'if it isn't illegal, it's okay'.