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12
4
Yes and why No and why
Debate Score:16
Arguments:9
Total Votes:19
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 Yes and why (6)
 
 No and why (3)

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Should Cell Phone Jammers Be Legal?

Up until now, "cell phone jammers" were just a high-tech novelty used in thrillers and crime novels, but after a Philadelphia man was caught jamming signals on a public transit bus, the devices are becoming a hot-button issue. Turns out they're not legal, but according to Forbes they can be easily purchased online for anywhere from $40 to $10,000, depending on the strength and radius of the jamming signal. Authorities are worried the devices will block emergency calls or block business signals, such as bus dispaches.

One jammer told Forbes, "When I’ve used it, it’s to cut off a loud talker on the train that’s sitting near me ... No guilt. Just personal high fives ... I always have a grace period with phone calls. Like if someone is saying ‘Okay, well, I’ll be in the office in 10 minutes we can discuss it then,’ I won’t jam them. But if you are talking about what you did last night and what kind of curtains to get for the house, then yes. Silenced." Do you think cell phone jammers should be legal?

Yes and why

Side Score: 12
VS.

No and why

Side Score: 4
3 points

I myself have no opinion, but I am interested in the opinion of libertarians.

Being in favor of these would result in the suppression of freedom.

Yet banning these would suppress the freedom to use to them.

Side: Yes and why
2 points

People call 911 from cells sometimes right?

.....M.....m....m....m....... (Not cell friendly)

Side: Yes and why
2 points

If you want to make sure no one is listening then yes.

Side: Yes and why
1 point

There are many things which might be said in the favor of cell phone jammers and their usage in everyday life, but to not flood here with too big comment I will simply give a link to the article I have found recently on the web. Those who think that cell phone jammers must be illegal - please read that article carefully and then repeat that you are against the legalization of jammers. If you will want to do that after reading the article ;)

Supporting Evidence: Citizens Of United Kingdom, Beware! You Are Being Spied! (blog.jammer-store.com)
Side: Yes and why

You shouldn't be able to force people to do what you want, simply enough. I agree that people can be rude, and annoying, and obnoxious, but then you talk to them like a civilized person, and ask them nicely to stop. This isn't the answer.

A piece of advice I've heard when dealing with morality is to consider 'would the world be a better place if this practice became the norm'? In this instance, I think I can safely say no; people should not be able to decide who uses their phones, it leads to chaos.

I believe in liberty, not just being allowed to do nice things. People should be free to be assholes, to be dicks, to be bad people, anything else is an infringement on liberty.

Side: No and why
casper3912(1581) Disputed
3 points

If people should be free to be assholes, dicks and bad people; then shouldn't cell phone jammers be legal?

Side: Yes and why

That is what I was thinking you have a good point.

Side: Yes and why
Conro(767) Disputed
1 point

How do we designate who is being a dick, asshole, or a bad person? Those are all pretty unquantifiable.

However, restricting free speech is relatively easy to quantify.

Would you be in favor of letting these be available to everyone and anyone? http://www.extremetech.com/computing/120583-new-speech-jamming-gun-hints-at-dystopian-big-brother-future

Side: No and why
BenWalters(1513) Disputed
0 points

But being a dick isn't infringing on others rights, it's simply not very nice. Cell phone jammers restrict peoples rights.

Side: No and why