Anyone who’s done scientific research knows how hard it is to perform an experiment that conforms to all the rules of good science. There’s always something that’s overlooked or not thought of. There’s always another explanation for the data you get. In short good science is difficult. Things done in haste almost never work out as expected. The rest of life is not much different. Politics is an example of how easy it is to get things wrong.
The New York State Legislature in its zeal to react to the recent atrocity in Newtown passed a law banning high capacity gun magazines. Magazines with more than seven rounds will be illegal under the new law when that part takes effect in March. The problem is that virtually every police force in the state uses guns that have magazines with more than seven rounds and the new law does not exempt them. This problem will doubtless be fixed, but it’s another example of how easy it is to go wrong especially when you don’t think before you act. Ready, fire, aim.