(qualify for) and (qualify [as]) an excuse

Question

I'd like to know if I could use "qualify for" in the context below, with the meaning of "to give the right to do something":

Example:

The abuse of some does not qualify for the tough and unnecessary restrictions.

Wordreference has this meaning but does not give an example of use:

"to get authority, license, power, etc., as by fulfilling required conditions, taking an oath, etc."

And what if I'd like to use the word reason? I am not sure about dropping the word "as":

The abuse of some doe not qualify [as] an excuse to set the tough and unnecessary restrictions.

The use of as has the meaning to fit a description in the dictionary entry below. My usage is fine as far as I can see.

Oxford Collocations Dictionary, 2nd edition

qualify verb

1 have/give sb the right to sth

PREPOSITION

▪ for

▪ You will automatically qualify for a pension.

3 fit a description

PREPOSITION

▪ as

▪ A three-week course hardly qualifies as sufficient training.

Note: I suppose I could say:

"The abuse of some doe not justify the tough and unnecessary restrictions" and be done with it but I'd like to learn how to use qualify. I might need to paraphrase in when writing.

Answer 1

I don't think you can use "qualify for" in this case. Even though meaning #1 is close to what you want in your sentence, the subject of "qualify for" must also be the recipient of the object. In the dictionary example:

You will automatically qualify for a pension

"You" is the subject and the recipient of the pension.

In your original sentence that is not the case - the abuse (the subject) isn't the recipient of tough and unnecessary restrictions.

In your second sentence:

The abuse of some does not qualify as an excuse to set the tough and unnecessary restrictions.

The usage is correct because the abuse (the subject) is the excuse. Note how changing the preposition changes the meaning.