That's why it's rarely used, except in extreme cases. When the board keeps getting spammed and content is disrupted, despite asking the offenders to stop, it becomes necessary.
I agree. By now I think we all realize the rules against certain things are just fodder. However, when someone starts delving into ones personal life, making threats against them or their families, that is a line that should not be crossed nor tolerated when it is. Personally, if someone threatens me, I take it with a grain of salt. I'm a big boy, but when they start to threaten the family, not going to tolerate that.