While not banning rope seems like common-sense, it is well studied that Means Reduction saves lives. This means that if we did ban rope fewer people would commit suicide; most people would not substitute another method such as a knife or jumping off a bridge, they simply would not commit suicide at all.
Banning rope would be hugely disruptive to many industries and peoples personal lives, however, so it is not a practical possibility.
Banning guns would not cause significant disruption to industry or the vast majority of peoples’ personal lives, so it is practical.
Without this people will just use different methods for causing mass destruction in the absence of guns.
The means reduction studies show that most people will not choose another method for harming themselves or others, they will not act on their impulse if acting on their impulse is made more difficult.
While not banning rope seems like common-sense, it is well studied that Means Reduction saves lives. This means that if we did ban rope fewer people would commit suicide; most people would not substitute another method such as a knife or jumping off a bridge, they simply would not commit suicide at all.
Banning rope would be hugely disruptive to many industries and peoples personal lives, however, so it is not a practical possibility. Banning guns would not cause significant disruption to industry or the vast majority of peoples’ personal lives, so it is practical.
The means reduction studies show that most people will not choose another method for harming themselves or others, they will not act on their impulse if acting on their impulse is made more difficult.