Florida Rep. Jim Boyd on Thursday filed House Bill 947, which would slap a mandatory minimum prison sentence on convicted felon if they care caught carrying a gun or using it in commission of a crime.
The measure would be an amendment to Florida's current "10-20-Life" law which sets mandatory minimums for anyone convicted of a gun-related crime. Boyd said the proposal has already been endorsed by the Florida Sheriffs Association and other law enforcement groups.
“This amendment to the 10-20-Life Law will give violent felons pause before arming themselves because they will be facing a 10-year minimum mandatory prison sentence. If they make the choice to carry a firearm and are apprehended, our society will be safer knowing they are behind bars for a long time” said Greg Stout, president of Tampa Police Benevolent Association Inc., in a news release issued by Boyd's office.
Boyd said Stout has been a friend for more than 20 years and said they met earlier this year to "brainstorm" ideas on how to toughen gun laws after the shooting deaths of police officers in Miami and St. Petersburg and other violent crimes.
“This bill will protect not only law enforcement but also the citizens of this great state by
keeping violent felons off the street," Boyd said in the statement.
In an interview, Boyd acknowledged that there might be an added expense for the state by locking up offenders for lengthy minimum prison terms. But it's worth it, he said.
"Personally, the cost of a life is more important than if they are on the outside," he said.
Read the proposed bill here.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
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Another big-government jerk who loves power over the people,and wants more government rationing of rights.
ReplyDeleteBoyd is just another big-government politician who enjoys nothing more than urinating on the very constitution he swore to uphold.
ReplyDeleteThere should be NO rationing of ANY rights as citizens,and if a felon or anyone else has paid his/her dues to society,they should have all the rights anyone else has unless it is a violent offender,or career criminal.
B.T.W. If Obama is elected to another term,and his new regulations are implemented at same time as ones already passed,we are ALL wards of the state,and the United States will never be the free country it has been. That is why he made sure most of his communistic ideas would go into effect AFTER the elections.
ReplyDeleteGod help America.
Hope his lap-dog, Bill Nelson loses his election as well.
I'm not in favor of this new law unless there is some mechanism to protect people who have become law abiding citizens. An elderly friend of ours came to visit and we wanted to take him hog hunting since he's never been. After pestering him he finally admitted he couldn't go with us because of a felony on his record from 40 years ago. As an older teen he robbed a gas station. He spent several years in prison, passed his probation and became a successful local business owner, raised a family, and has contributed to society. By visiting our home for dinner, where he knows there are firearms, he was in violation of the law. That's utterly ridiculous.
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