The problem with the legal system is there are too many lawyers involved.

[sarettah]

To me certain things just make sense and I don't always (even after 50 years of trying) understand how things got where they are.

Last night, at a Halloween party, during a discussion of all things political, someone brought up the matter of guns and "why is everyone shooting each other" and "how do we stop it from happening".

In my mind this is one of those things that is easy to fix.

IMHO, the reason there are so many instances of guns being involved in violent crime is because, in most cases, the penalty for the crime is bigger and badder than the penalty for using the gun.

Say you're a crack dealer (I apologize if you are a crack dealer, no offense is intended). If you get caught selling crack you could face a sentence of life imprisonment. If you get caught using a gun in a crime, you face a sentence of 5 years. So, why, if you were going to sell crack, wouldn't you carry a gun ?

Reverse the sentences, giving 5 years for selling the crack and a life sentence for using a gun in a crime and the crack dealer will no longer carry the gun. It just would not be worth it.

To me, that kind of stuff is just common sense.

But what do I know, I'm just a fucking programmer, ya know ?