Can you play Acceptable Losses without controlling a Gear?

Yes, you can play Acceptable Losses even if you do not control any gear, as long as your opponent does.

According to RiftJudge FAQ #4344 and #9554, Acceptable Losses does not target. At the time of resolution, each player who controls gear will choose one to kill. If you control no gear when the spell resolves, the instruction to kill a gear for your side simply cannot be performed and is ignored (see Rule 359.3.e.6). Additionally, if no player controls any gear on the field, the card can still be played, and its effect is simply ignored upon resolution (RiftJudge FAQ #10842).