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Pennsylvania State Senate
04/25/2024 09:41 AM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20210&cosponId=35393
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: April 15, 2021 11:00 AM
From: Senator Mike Regan
To: All Senate members
Subject: Mandatory Minimum for Dealing Drugs with a Firearm
 
We need no reminder about the impact on our communities from drugs, drug overdoses, and violence related to drug trafficking.  The harm that comes from the drugs is bad enough, but armed drug traffickers add another level of disregard for human life.
 
Those who traffic in drugs and carry firearms typically have one goal in mind: make money and get more drugs to sell, regardless of the consequences. Shooting or threatening to shoot someone is part of their business.  Because of this, we must take steps to discourage them from carrying firearms and to get those that do, off our streets.
 
By focusing on the most dangerous profit-seeking drug dealers, we will appropriately help to reduce the drug sales in our communities, reduce drug-related shootings, and hold these individuals accountable.  Let me be clear, we are not talking about the mere user who needs treatment, nor the unarmed corner dealer.  Instead, I am focused on those who bring the violence and destruction in order to advance their goal of profit.
 
To accomplish this, I am re-introducing Senate Bill 897 to restore the 5-year mandatory minimum sentence for those that sell illegal drugs while in possession of a firearm. 
 
Several years ago, many mandatory minimum sentences, including this one, were invalidated by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on procedural grounds.  However, in working with area District Attorneys and law enforcement, I continue to hear that this mandatory minimum should be reinstated to allow them to do their jobs of prosecuting these egregious criminals to the fullest extent possible.
 
I hope that you will join me as a co-sponsor of this legislation focused on a targeted group of dangerous offenders who have brought violence and despair to our communities.
 
Previous co-sponsors of SB 897 were: BREWSTER, BROWNE, HUTCHINSON, LANGERHOLC, MARTIN, MASTRIANO, MENSCH, and PHILLIPS-HILL.


Introduced as SB687