As I said before I've had a cat that literally lay next to a bird without doing anything. Now that's obviously not normal cat behavior but I would know if my cats were killing animals outside after living with them for years. Some cats are hunters and some not so much. I've had both and we kept the hunter inside.
You can also get a cat bell for their collar which helps if they do hunt.
Yeah I know the downsides to letting cats outside but I my point is that there is a benefit to an animals quality of life with some space to roam in nature. Same as humans and all animals. We've had cats that were hunters and would kill birds every chance they got so we stopped letting them outside. Also had cats that sat next to birds in the yard and paid them no mind.
It's frustrating when people frame issues like these as dichotomies ie no cats should ever be let outside or all cats should be able to roam freely at will.
I said according to their logic, not that they were advocating for that exactly, which said that cats should never be let outside because they are provided food and shelter inside and there was no other reason to let them out. The middle ground in my mind is being a responsible pet owner and if your cats are killing birds then don't let them out. This is not always the case.
Go fuck yourself