🚀 go-pugleaf

In article: <palmer.722276991@news.larc.nasa.gov> (Michael T. Palmer) states:

>Hmmm, an interesting point.  But how do you restrict access to tools that
>they can construct themselves?  Sure, it is illegal for a convicted felon
>to own (or fabricate) a firearm, but the only reason they don't all do it
>is because it takes expensive milling machines and considerable talent.
>But how do you prevent someone from coding up an RSA program?  Prevent them
>from purchasing a computer?  A compiler?  Restrict their access to books
>which have the algorithm?  I think the pervasiveness of the information
>and tools necessary to create encryption programs will make your suggestion
>impossible to implement.
>
>Remember, if they're already convicted criminals, they probably won't
>pay too much attention to such laws anyway, so you'd have to find some
>way to physically prevent them from getting what they want.  Literally
>impossible.  The corner drug/gun dealer will now carry floppy disks
>with PGP 2.0 on it for those that can't get it legally (and can't program
>it themselves).

That all is true however by making it illegal for them to do this gives
LE agencies one more useful tool to combat crime.  With the relatively
high rate of individuals committing more than just one crime here is one
element of society where it might make good sense to arrest someone who
is in possession of an illegal key.

Any comments?
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 . SM 1.06 ----- . Email: john.eichler@grapevine.lrk.ar.us