Comment Re:Fair point (Score 3, Interesting) 295
To draw an analogy, in my state (NH) you need a hairdressor's license to apply hair dye to a client. People have pointed out that hair dye is available over the counter and that anyone can apply the dye to themselves (and it's not hard), so why is the license required?
I actually know the answer to this one due to working in IT for L'Oreal. Hair dressers don't use consumer grade hair products, they use products designated professional grade. You as an individual can't even buy that grade directly, it's only sold to hair dressing businesses. Many professional grade hair products are made from chemicals that are explosive if combined in the wrong order or the wrong amounts, and others produce poisonous gas at speed and quantities that can quickly incapacitate or suffocate people. The hazard labels on the boxes and trucks leaving the warehouse are terrifying, and the fact that the warehouses have separate sections to try to prevent any spilled chemicals from mixing and killing everyone in the building is just as scary. Thus the requirement to train and license people to use these dangerous products.