PA to pass mandatory minimum sentencing for illegal firearms possession

[MariusPontmercy]

Gun convictions would mean 5-year minimum if House bill passes

The bill would make illegal possession of a firearm a mandatory 5 years in state prison. Seems like its set to pass as the house voted for it 190-7.

[darthsinatra]

Gun convictions would mean 5-year minimum if House bill passes

The bill would make illegal possession of a firearm a mandatory 5 years in state prison. Seems like its set to pass as the house voted for it 190-7.

Sounds like a boon for the private prison industry.

[MariusPontmercy]

Sounds like a boon for the private prison industry.

Didn't they build some massive new prison out in Forest County?

[raider.adam]

Sounds like a boon for the private prison industry.

Not if they just keep dropping and pleaing out the gun charges.

[JakeL]

Interesting that it had such a high rate of acceptance. Really, it would be Philadelphia, Allegheny [Pittsburgh], Erie, and a handful of other counties that this a perennial issue, right? Good to see that the representatives throughout the state see it as being an issue and are backing it.

It'll give prosecutors all the more leverage in tough sentences for criminals, which [hoooopefully] will decrease our horrible homicide rate.

[Sycamore]

Gun convictions would mean 5-year minimum if House bill passes

The bill would make illegal possession of a firearm a mandatory 5 years in state prison. Seems like its set to pass as the house voted for it 190-7.

That's just what we need-more prisoners.

[darthsinatra]

Not if they just keep dropping and pleaing out the gun charges.

Public Defenders would likely have pressure on them not to plead out during the first few months of the new law. Also it seems FTA that the illegal possession of a firearm by itself would be enough for prosecution so there couldn't be a plea deal to a lesser concomitant crime. I need to read the bill.

[MariusPontmercy]

Interesting that it had such a high rate of acceptance. Really, it would be Philadelphia, Allegheny [Pittsburgh], Erie, and a handful of other counties that this a perennial issue, right? Good to see that the representatives throughout the state see it as being an issue and are backing it.

It'll give prosecutors all the more leverage in tough sentences for criminals, which [hoooopefully] will decrease our horrible homicide rate.

Don't forget Berks and Lehigh Counties. They have Reading and Allentown respectively, which have some serious issues with violent crime. I grew up near Reading and I believe one year we were ranked right up there with Camden for most dangerous city in America.

[darthsinatra]

Don't forget Berks and Lehigh Counties. They have Reading and Allentown respectively, which have some serious issues with violent crime. I grew up near Reading and I believe one year we were ranked right up there with Camden for most dangerous city in America.

I'm pretty familiar with all the PA cities and counties below I80 and between Pitt/Phl. The folks in these largely rural areas are generally law-abiding 2nd amendment true believers, and while they might complain about the cost of getting their licenses, they have NO time for unlawful gun owners, let alone criminals. In my estimation this is bc those types ruin free 2nd amendment exercise for everyone.

BTW this is about to become ANOTHER gun thread on PS. I propose a sticky.

Shoot 'em straight!

[MariusPontmercy]

I'm pretty familiar with all the PA cities and counties below I80 and between Pitt/Phl. The folks in these largely rural areas are generally law-abiding 2nd amendment true believers, and while they might complain about the cost of getting their licenses, they have NO time for unlawful gun owners, let alone criminals. In my estimation this is bc those types ruin free 2nd amendment exercise for everyone.

BTW this is about to become ANOTHER gun thread on PS. I propose a sticky.

Shoot 'em straight!

I grew up in such an area. While you're correct that they're mostly rural, and the vast majority of gun owners in those areas are law abiding, there are smaller cities (Reading, Allentown) with just as bad gun crime rates as Philadelphia. Problem is that since those cities have very little political power even within their own counties its really almost impossible for them to petition any kind of change at the state level for gun crime. Mandatory mins is what we needed, not more gun control laws, which is why I think there's such wide support for this now.

[darthsinatra]

I grew up in such an area. While you're correct that they're mostly rural, and the vast majority of gun owners in those areas are law abiding, there are smaller cities (Reading, Allentown) with just as bad gun crime rates as Philadelphia. Problem is that since those cities have very little political power even within their own counties its really almost impossible for them to petition any kind of change at the state level for gun crime. Mandatory mins is what we needed, not more gun control laws, which is why I think there's such wide support for this now.

Makes sense. I get bad juju in Reading.