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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 1, 2023 02:27 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Craig Williams |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Holding Violent Criminals Who Use Guns Accountable |
| I am introducing legislation making our sentencing guidelines presumptive for certain offenses and requiring courts to state, on the record, a substantial and compelling reason that an injustice would occur by imposing a sentence below the standard range of the sentencing guidelines. The criminal use of firearms by violent offenders demands our attention. In Philadelphia, the violent crime rate is at its highest in decades and shows no signs of dissipating. Last year, the city recorded an astounding 516 firearms homicides and more than 1,700 nonfatal shootings. As of February 23rd, 2023, 201 people have been shot, including 68 fatalities. This senseless loss of life must end, and we must undertake a concerted effort to address the rise in violent crime. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw is on the record explaining that the “Philadelphia criminal justice system has become a ‘revolving door’ for repeat gun offenders — leaving more of them on the street with their weapons, with little reason to fear the consequences of being caught.” This statement is supported by the data. According to the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, an overwhelming majority of sentences for violent criminals who use firearms in Philadelphia are below the Commission’s recommended sentencing guidelines. At a recent policy committee hearing, I asked Pennsylvania State Troopers Association President David Kennedy about the morale of our law enforcement officers. His number one issue was the lack of follow through after an arrest is made. This provision would apply to the following offenses: (1) a violent offense when a firearm was possessed by the defendant during the commission of the offense; (2) drug trafficking if the defendant possessed the firearm during the commission of the offense; and (3) the unlawful possession of a firearm if the person is not allowed to possess a firearm because he or she has been previously convicted of a felony. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to better protect our Commonwealth’s residents. |
Introduced as HB1503