It's not just guns that lawmakers are clueless on

[Indy Lurker]

http://abceq-media.com/portal/wts/cgmc7xb8zNaq2PjqjD2Uqckx3szTa



Tupperware Mistakenly Banned In Missouri

Lawmakers intended to reduce floating debris and pollution from abandoned foam coolers in the state's waterways. But they confused their plastics, and instead of banning Styrofoam, they criminalized the plastic containers found in many kitchens but seldom used to ferry beer and soda down a river.

The mix-up means boaters and river floaters can still use foam coolers without fear. But someone who brings dishwasher-safe containers risks up to a year in jail.

The problem arises because Styrofoam is a brand name, and so lawmakers — who may have been a bit rusty with their chemistry — attempted to name the plastic used to make the foam coolers. But instead of restricting coolers made from polystyrene, they banned polypropylene containers.



To quote Napoleon - "Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence."

[Statistical]

1. Good illustration.

Styrofoam is a relatively simple concept compared firearms.

Most lawmakers are clueless about any technical subject and I don't understand why they don't rely more on experts.

Not experts so much for policy decisions but technical experts. Technical experts that can give them the name of the "shoulder thing that goes up" or let them know "incendiary ammo does not mean heat seeking" or "black rifles are no more dangerous than wooden ones" or that "banning all ammo that can pierce body armor would ban ALL rifle ammo" or that "semi-automatic has nothing to do with automatic" or that "assault rifles were already restricted in 1968" or that "2% of all homicides involve a rifle".

[iverglas]

3. yeah, like those experts in Florida

The ones who advise the legislature on legislation. Legislative counsel, they call 'em.

The ones who said that whole "castle doctrine" business was too ignorant for words ...

You can lead right-wing legislators to sense, but you can't make 'em see it.

[tularetom]

2. Something else they don't know

FROM

[Tim01]

4. Oh my god. This is going to be a long list. nt