A county District Attorney in Massachusetts is fighting for tougher laws for using a gun in a crime. The bill would make two new criminal laws – “Attempted Assault and Battery by Means of a Firearm” which would carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, and “Assault & Battery by Means of a Firearm”, with penalties of up to life in prison.
According to Bristol County DA C. Samuel Sutter, current law only calls for a maximum of ten years for pulling the trigger.
While this doesn’t seem like a completely outlandish idea, it’s hard to see what it exactly will accomplish. District Attorney Sutter makes the comparison to tougher drunk driving laws, stating that this new penalty will “make people worry” more about the consequences of their actions.
Someone it is hard to imaging a gang-banger thinking twice about doing a drive-by-shooting, knowing that the penalty could be an extra 10 years in prison.
A more plausible explanation here is a bit of political grandstanding the District Attorney. These kinds of “get tough on crime” laws always seem to help politicians looking to grab more power. Is the hoping to run for statewide office, with this legislation as part of a platform and a record?
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Further Reference: Mass Assault w/Dangerous Weapon Laws & Penalties.
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