Most laws are unnecessary — at least for most of us.

That our society must have laws to protect children from being abused is unfortunate.

The same could be said for laws protecting pets from torture, homeowners from burglary and just about every other law we can think of that exists.

The great majority of us have the common sense not to do some of the above things — even if they were legal.

We know not to act foolish and step on the rights of others, but a small minority of residents do not have that gene. That is exactly why we need some laws.

Logically, we understand why some people bristle at society dictating what a citizen can and cannot do.

“I should be able to play my car stereo as loudly as I want,” they say.

That’s true, until the noise affects others. Because of that fact — and the lack of common sense among some people — the city has to have a noise ordinance.

In a similar fashion, Natchez aldermen are considering an ordinance to limit the hours of bars within the city. The idea being that the later the bars are open the more likely patrons are to be drunk and get rowdy.

Peaceful partying doesn’t affect neighbors. Drunk and rowdy behavior does.

Aldermen will catch flak from some people for allegedly harming business and infringing upon residents’ “rights.”

We urge aldermen to draft the legislation and allow public input before the vote.

Residents have the right to voice their opinions on such matters at public meetings and at the voting booth.

On the surface, the plan to close bars early seems to have sound logic behind it, even if — like most laws — we wish people simply used common sense and restrictive laws were not necessary.