And that's not to say that people in France are not law-abiding. Of course the overall majority are law-abiding, peace loving people.

However, when countries do not enforce their laws out of sympathy, etc. it can set into motion the wrong ideas and way of thinking that doing the wrong thing will be "excused". As long as people believe that they can get away with something they're will be those who will continue to do it.

That's why laws are only worth anything if they are enforced.