That “If you don’t like a law just get it changed” thing cuts both ways. It usually depends on who holds the reigns of power at a given time, although lately I’ve started to think that doesn’t matter anymore.
It’s easy to say “…just get it changed” but in reality that’s a joke. Let’s use seat belt laws as an example: I remember back when it was only ever going to be an add-on charge, like for a speeding ticket. Never would be a reason to pull you over, i.e. probable cause. Funny [not] how that has morphed into what it is today. I don’t ever recall a public vote or referendum on that, nothing on the ballot when I voted. Yet it has become law just about everywhere. Get it changed? Hell, no one I know of voted for it in the first place, regardless of whether you think wearing a seatbelt is a smart thing or not.
Know what it comes down to? A cop exercising discretion. Loud music call and a joint falls out of the guy’s pocket? A state like NJ where some guy is pulled over for speeding and the LEO notices the butt of a handgun underneath the seat. Say neither person has a real criminal record (i.e. not habitual offenders or felons). Yeah, the laws on the books say they’re toast…but should they really be? It’s like a cop version of jury nullification. Not to unduly put the burden of dealing with this stuff on cops, but after all, they are the starting point for any encounter with our spectacular “justice” system. Beat your wife and that joint falls out of your pocket? You’re taking a ride. Have a kilo of coke in the car with the handgun showing? Turn around, you are also going for a ride.
I know the above sounds duplicitous, like on one hand I’m saying ignore laws and on the other saying “throw the book at 'em”. Common freaking sense and a little prudent discretion would go a long way until we can eliminate laws which shouldn’t even be on the books. Of course on the day when that happens I will park my unicorn in the rainbow lot at work!