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Police may soon see benefits of state’s new gun crimes law
Metro law enforcement officials have been looking for a cure to Tennessee’s weak gun laws since April, pushing for legislation that would increase jail time for gun crimes.
Now they have a possible remedy.
Beginning on Tuesday, the state’s “Crooks with Guns” law will take effect — one that imposes mandatory minimum sentences without parole for individuals who use firearms to commit felonies, individuals who are in possession of guns while committing felonies or prior felons who are found in possession of illegal weapons.
“We pushed hard with the Legislature last session to try to put some real teeth with laser-like focus on prison sentencing for dangerous, repeat, violent offenders,” said Metro Police Chief Ronal Serpas.
“‘Crooks with Guns’ we believe is the fist step toward holding those people who refuse rehabilitation efforts and who choose to make you their victim as their life’s choice, to keep them in prison longer,” he said.
According to the legislation, on Jan. 1 anyone employing a firearm during the commission of a felony will face a charge punishable by “the service of 10 years in the penitentiary at 100 percent,” meaning the defendant shall be required to serve the entire sentence and the sentence shall not be reduced for any reason.
Before the legislation was in place, according to Serpas, a defendant needed only to fulfill 30 percent of a prison sentence before getting the possibility of parole.
“We think [the bill] is going to help make Nashville a safer place by taking those repeat violent offenders and giving them real prison sentences instead of rolling them back out too quickly,” the chief added.
In Nashville in 2006, 695 arrests were made on suspects for the use of firearms in the commission of a felony, a 7.4 percent increase from 647 in 2005, according to statistics provided by the Tennessee Public Safety Coalition.
The coalition, a statewide group consisting of police chiefs, district attorneys and sheriffs, pushed hard for the legislation with help from the bill’s sponsor, Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville).
The legislation does have a price tag however. It is estimated the cost of the new law — due to increased incarceration time for inmates — will be just short of $24 million.
But it’s a price that Norris earlier this year said was worth it.
“The notion that we need to shy away from legislation like this because of the projected cost, really rings hollow because, in fact, if we’re successful at giving law enforcement the tools they need to do their job, their job will become simpler, and there’ll be less people incarcerated,” Norris said in March.
The total number of reported offenses involving guns in Tennessee is rising, according to statistics from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation — jumping from 17,450 statewide in 2003 to 18,662 in 2005.
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This will be good news if everyone follows through with it.There are state and federal laws that we already have that always seem to be ignored regarding felons in public housing. MDHA provides housing for these gun slinging felons, which is illegal so why isn't Serpas addressing this crime. People that house these felons with government assisted money, which is illegal should also be behind bars.Tougher on illegal drugs would also be a plus, as it is all a crime and yet there are wall-to-wall crack houses all over this city. Most of the felons with guns are also involved with drugs but this is not mentioned. Why?Can't reduce gun crime Serpas without including drug crimes.
Wow, the police doing something good that helps against real crime? There must be an election coming up.And yeah, like BADCOPS said, drugs are behind most crime in this city, yet apparently it's still on the bottom of Serpas's priority list!
Calling to report drug activity has always been a low priority when it comes to the MNPD.The aren't smart enough to connect the two crimes together.BC is correct there are laws that we have had for decades and the cops are deaf dumb and blind like the open air drug markets, and p.s. other than the projects this is the location of most of the crime areas.I also think Serpas needs to give Phil Ryan a wake up call about the crime in Ryans rentals. If he doesn't want to do it, call the feds in as it is a case of federal fraud. If Serpas keeps ignoring it then he needs to be replace immediately.
This is a good positive step towards keeping criminals in jail. Next step is a harsh penalty for drug dealers. As I have said before, dealers should get the death penalty, especially at the top tier. I know some of you limp back libs will shriek at this, but think about the harm they cause to their victims and families. It can destroy not just one person, but a whole family for life. You pimp drugs on the street, you should get the needle!
Any laws that crack down on criminals are good laws. The more time behind bars, the happier I am, when it comes to felons, thieves, murders, and their ilk. But this..."Metro law enforcement officials have been looking for a cure to Tennessee’s weak gun laws since April, pushing for legislation that would increase jail time for gun crimes."Guns do not need to have laws put on them, you buggerbrain! Guns are inanimate objects that, by themselves, do nothing. I've never seen a gun do any harm, unless someone is holding it. PEOPLE who misuse guns need laws (like these) to help protect law-abiding citizens, like me, keep our guns.Now, to strengthen the existing punishments...including the death penalty. Either make it timely, or get rid of it. No more 20-year waits for justice.
There is only one 'good' gun law and it was in the Constitution. All you accomplish with this one is the same as the intent of every other damn gun law... create more criminals out of people who piss off the politicians.You don't think rape, robbery, murder are serious enough to warrant 'serious' punishment, yet you jump right on the damn anti's bandwagon and swallow their horse0000 that THIS one will really put the bad guys away. STUPID PEOPLE WAKE UP YOU ARE THE TARGET, the already have the bad guys and they let them go. STUPID.
Actually the target is criminals who commit felonies with guns. I don't commit felonies as a general rule so I'm not the target.You may be though, especially with those anger issues you obviously have.
New laws don't replace good police work. Just how many felons committed a crime between early release and their full sentences? This law costs taxpayers $24 million...that's a lot of money. If we prevent 100 felons that would have cost TN taxpayers $240,000 per person. This law sucks!
Good law should be welcomed by pro-gun folks. Here, the Superior Court judge put FIVE gun violators on parole in one court session! One was a convicted felon who should not have a firearm in the first place. It is great to see some vertebrate judges, most of whom are not much in favor of mandatory sentences, take up the fight. Attack those who violate the law, not the majority of law-abiding people. So many politicians and anti-gun groups fail to distinguish between the firearm and the criminal using a firearm. Now if you would make a carry permit within the financial realm of possibility for law-abiding folks, you will see crime go down.