(GA) Program aims to get bad guys off streets

O

Oatka

New member
The officials say it's a success story, which I don't doubt, but it would be helpful if they gave some figures.
http://www.savannahmorningnews.com/CURRENT/LOCgunintiative.shtml

Program aims to get bad guys off streets

Local, U.S. officials work together to prosecute gun violators under federal law.

By Mia Burns
Savannah Morning News

Bad guys who commit crimes with guns are being targeted for harsher sentences under "Project Ceasefire." And the program, which has been under way for several months, is a success story, say officials who highlighted the efforts at a press conference Thursday.

Federal officials are working with local agencies to prosecute criminals under federal law, which generally carries longer sentences and does not allow for parole.

"This project involves a comprehensive, coordinated strategy to federally prosecute felons that possess firearms, along with other federal gun violations," said Donnie Dixon, U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Georgia, at the news conference.

"Every week, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office meet with a designated liaison from the Savannah Police Department to review recent cases to determine which firearms cases can be ... prosecuted federally.

"We are doing this in order that the most dangerous violators are subjected to the very stiff federal sentencing provisions," Dixon said.

District Attorney Spencer Lawton said Project Ceasefire "melds what is best about the federal system with what is best about the state system."

"We have been working tirelessly to make this effort work," he added.

Dixon highlighted the cases of five men successfully prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Savannah. Three of the five have been sentenced. Under federal sentences, parole was abolished and the defendant must serve his entire sentence.

In a state prosecution, a defendant sentenced to prison is eligible for parole after serving less of his full term.

Interim Savannah Police Chief Maj. Dan Reynolds praised the U.S. Attorney's office for its dedication to Project Ceasefire.

"It is time that the public know that people who commit these kind of crimes go to jail for a long time," he said.

"We still have a lot of potential offenders out there that need this type of treatment. The only solution for these people is prison."

Reporter Mia Burns may be reached at 652-0396.

The penalties

Anyone convicted in federal court as a felon possessing a firearm may be sentenced to:

* Up to 10 years in prison with one federal conviction.

* A minimum of 15 years to life in prison with three felony convictions.

* If a firearm is used during a drug trafficking crime or a federal crime of violence, the defendant may face an additional five years in prison consecutive to whatever other sentence he receives.

The program

Project Ceasefire is a collaborative effort of the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Savannah Police Department, Chatham County Police Department, Chatham County Sheriff's Office and Chatham County District Attorney's Office, as well as several other local agencies.

Source: U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of Georgia
 
Arn't they talking about merely possessing a firearm like Bob @ Maadi Griffin ? I don't think he deserves a 10 year sentance. We do not need to support this crap it will come back to haunt us. No more gun laws period - no more, not even one. As a matter of fact - no new laws at all, not even one. There are already laws for repeat offenders, they need to prosecute crime instead of mere possession otherwise we will continue to have Maadi Griffin like incedents.



[This message has been edited by scud (edited July 21, 2000).]
 
I have no problem with the use of a deadly weapon resulting in a more serious charge and sentence. If Mr. Bad Guy just throws me down and takes my wallet, that's robbery. If he uses a knife or gun or baseball bat to take my wallet, that's robbery with the threat or actual use of violence. The possible consequences to the victim are more severe, and the punishment should be too.

As for the mere possession of a firearm by a felon, that's a separate issue. I also have no problem with denying firearms to persons who have proven through their history that they will abuse the right. I realize that such laws will not keep the dedicated criminal from having a gun, but it does give us a way to bust them before they kill another convenience store clerk.

Here in Florida, a person convicted of certain felonies will not pass the background check even if they've done their jail time cleanly. There is, however, an appeal process for getting the right to own a gun restored by the convicting authority. I don't know how often or successfully it's used.
 
This is an outgrowth of the NRA supported program that was introduced in Richmond, VA and has been successful in several places. All it means is that if a convicted felon commits a crime with a gun, he gets an extra manadatory 5 or 10 years in the slammer - no exceptions! No plea bargains, no parole, nuttin'! Just lock'em up.

I love it.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>
Anyone convicted in federal court as a felon possessing a firearm may be sentenced to:[/quote]

This about possession only, no crime involved. Exactly what they are trying on Bob Stewart of Maadi Griffin.

I don't care what they do to people that commit armed robbery really ( I don't like the way this is worded, I'd rather see it as mandatory sentence for assault with a deadly weapon, and believe me we will pay for this wording before it's over -this implies the gun is the criminal element more then the person ). I think this applies to anyone with a felony that even possesses a firearm gets 10 years. That in itself is a victimless crime IMO and way out of line. Why do you think machete's arn't included in this - they are just as deadly and used in commission of a robbery / assault they are every bit as bad and violent.

This is a ATF sponsored bill you all, do not take it at face value, it is simply opening the doors for further, harsher legislation that is specifically centered around guns and the possession thereof instead of the actual act of committing a crime, and guess what - when the mandatory turn in comes and you don't hand them in it will be you facing those 10 years instead - it's already 14 years now in austrailia, because by then, people will be used to long sentences for mere possession. Any law that prosecutes someone for possession of a gun in a situation where no crime is being committed with extremely long sentences is bad - period. Just ask Bob. I won't even comment on the NRA support of this.


When they came for the.....




[This message has been edited by scud (edited July 21, 2000).]
 
The problem I have the Federal law against felons and "others" owning guns is that Congress, as best I can figure out, has no authority to pass such laws. The Tenth Ammendment says all rights and powers not given to the federal government are given to the states and the people. Nothing in the powers of the federal government indicates any regulation of gun ownership by anyone. Therefore, I can only assume that these laws- such as who may own a gun, or how old you must be- are wrong.

I do not really think they all violate the Second Ammendment, and I think some of them would be ok for states to enact- such as prohibition for violent felons- but it is not the federal government's place to do so.
 
The severity of punishment for a given crime is a secondary issue.

Where does the Constitution give the federal government any authority to even address these crimes?

The federal government is reducing state governments to the level of county government!

The Constitution does not address "uniformity" or "special punishment" for strong-arm crime! :mad:
 
I didn't even think of the federal authority implications, this law sucks even more than I realized - thanks BTR / Dennis.
 
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