Why are "how to murder" books legal if murdering is illegal?
by 
Michelle 1994
ANSWERS: 7
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Are there actually books which advertise themselves as "how to murder" guides? There are plenty of books and movies about crime which depict murder, and might give people ideas as to how commit murder and maybe not get caught. However, those are clearly protected by the First Amendment. I know that courts have also held that books teaching people how to make bombs and illegal drugs are also protected by the First Amendment right to free speech. Generally, as long as speech isn't designed to incite illegal activity, it is protected. For a basic overview of free speech law in the U.S.: http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/free-speech-and-press.html Also, for liability to exist for aiding and abetting a crime, the connection usually must be more direct than general information that might tell someone how to commit a crime: http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/derivative-crime-lawyers.html
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Kinda like it's illegal to drink and drive, but yet bars are allowed to serve drinks to people who they know are probably going to be the one driving when they leave. Or they go into a store and by alcohol and drink when they leave. (ya know, why do they sell individual cans of beer at the convenience stores if not to drink right then. No sense buying a cold beer if you're not planning on drinking it til later, be hot by then). Guess they figure, it's not telling you to go out an commit a murder no more than the bars or stores are telling you to drink and drive. Don't agree with it, think both are stupid, but it's out there.
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You have to commit the crime. Just planning it or reading about it is not a crime.
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Your question relies on a non-sequitur. For example: Why is driving legal if speeding is illegal? Why is owning a gun legal if shooting someone is illegal? Why is sex legal if prostitution is illegal? You will note that all of these "legal" things are wholly separate acts than the "illegal" things. Reading or writing a book about how to murder is legal because reading and writing are legal, and reading and writing are wholly different acts than murder.
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"Free speech"
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The First Amendment.
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I guess they just like to fantasize.Fantasy can`t be illegal.
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