But those laws have never deterred many of the nation's wealthiest people and corporations from showering the political system with millions of dollars.
While some liquor store owners cited religious or family reasons for remaining closed, many said that the law itself deters Sunday business.
The new Federal "loser pays" law, for example, deters securities fraud lawsuits by requiring the losing side to pay everyone's legal bills.
He believes concealed carry laws would deter criminal behavior, with permits being awarded to law-abiding citizens who pass a gun safety course.
That law has deterred auto leasing in New York.
When asked whether the laws had deterred drug crime, 67 percent said no, while 15 percent said yes.
Their laws and dictatorial constitution will not deter us from fighting for freedom and justice.
And neither morality nor law nor scientific disproof deterred some men from chasing hope.
The hope of Michigan legislators must be that this law will deter people from possessing and dealing in narcotics.
New and tough laws have not deterred wholesale plunder.