I don't think people here are considering all forms of ransoms, but you hit on an interesting aspect of it all the same.
It's why, I think, such a law wouldn't pass Constitutional review.
If your person is threatened with imminent danger, you have a right to self-defense, we'll even let you commit intentional homicide if the threat is serious enough.
And self-defense also covers your property and livelihood to a lesser extent.
I think it'd be extremely hard to convince courts that this right to self-defense doesn't include negotiating with an attacker. Imagine if it were a crime to toss some money at a mugger and run away, for instance.
It's why, I think, such a law wouldn't pass Constitutional review.
If your person is threatened with imminent danger, you have a right to self-defense, we'll even let you commit intentional homicide if the threat is serious enough.
And self-defense also covers your property and livelihood to a lesser extent.
I think it'd be extremely hard to convince courts that this right to self-defense doesn't include negotiating with an attacker. Imagine if it were a crime to toss some money at a mugger and run away, for instance.