"Why not raise the marginal cost of gun crimes substantially ? Why not make possession of an unregistered firearm , whether one brandishes it or not , a sentence punishable by life in prison ?"
"Because that would violate the 8th Amendment 's provision outlawing excessive fines , and cruel and unusual punishment ."
"Why not raise the marginal cost of gun crimes substantially ?"
"Because that would violate the 8th Amendment 's provision outlawing excessive fines , and cruel and unusual punishment ."