No, it applies more to some laws than others. A law against carrying a broadsword is enforceable before the broadsword is actually used in a crime, because it'

No, it applies more to some laws than others. A law against carrying a broadsword is enforceable before the broadsword is actually used in a crime, because it's highly visible. A law against a dagger isn't easily enforceable until it's actually taken out in some violent manner. (Don't over-analyze the example it's just to show a difference in how laws work in practice as opposed to on paper.)