When gardens are outlawed, only outlaws will have gardens

Let’s say that my hobby is gardening. My family has been gardening for generations. I’ve been gardening since I was a young kid. I’ve won some trophies, grown some record-setting produce, and I really enjoy my time in nature.

Now let’s say that gardening kills people. All across the country, dozens of people die from gardening each day. In fact, some people are drawn to gardening specifically because it kills people.

As a result, some well-meaning people are suggesting common-sense restrictions on gardening. Naturally I’m upset. I’m a good gardener, I tell them, and the only thing that will stop a bad gardener is a good gardener.

Nonetheless, people young and old continue to die from gardening at an alarming rate. Garden stores and farmers’ markets are setting sales records. Many people say it’s just to feed their families, but it’s obvious that there’s more to it. They even tell me: I’ll give them my pitchfork when they pry it from my cold dead hands.

Now people walk by, see my garden, and think: I’m going to start gardening too. They aren’t very responsible, though, and people get killed; sometimes in their own back yards.

Yeah, I have a right to a garden. But I also have a sense of right and wrong. No matter how careful I may be, others who look to me are reckless and dangerous. I don’t want that on my conscience.

There are other hobbies.