Harsher Penalties for Cop Shooters
Governor Ed Rendell has signed a bill that increases the mandatory minimum sentence for anyone convicted of shooting a firearm at a police officer and for crimes committed with illegally purchased guns.
The signing comes less than 10 days after the Legislature unanimously approved the bill and less than a month after Philadelphia Police Officer Patrick McDonald was killed by an illegally purchased gun.
Senator Mike Stack of Philadelphia, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who amended the bill to include the cop shooting provision, joined Rendell at the bill-signing ceremony in Philadelphia today.
State Representative Marty Causer says he's always skeptical of legislation dealing with firearms because some lawmakers are pushing legislation for more gun control.
But, he says, this legislation "toughens penalties for criminals while, at the same time, protects our second amendment rights."
Stack amended House Bill 1845 to include language that mandates a 20-year minimum sentence to individuals who intentionally fire upon an on-duty police officer. The new law also imposes a sentence of death or life imprisonment on anyone convicted of killing a law enforcement officer.
Over the last five years, the number of weapons-related assaults on police officers has increased by 82 percent in Pennsylvania.
The bill raises the mandatory minimum sentence for anyone shooting a firearm at a police officer to 20 years. It also increases penalties for crimes related to straw purchases of firearms, for lying when filing federal paperwork to buy a gun and for filing a false report of a stolen gun.
The signing comes less than 10 days after the Legislature unanimously approved the bill and less than a month after Philadelphia Police Officer Patrick McDonald was killed by an illegally purchased gun.
Senator Mike Stack of Philadelphia, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who amended the bill to include the cop shooting provision, joined Rendell at the bill-signing ceremony in Philadelphia today.
State Representative Marty Causer says he's always skeptical of legislation dealing with firearms because some lawmakers are pushing legislation for more gun control.
But, he says, this legislation "toughens penalties for criminals while, at the same time, protects our second amendment rights."
Stack amended House Bill 1845 to include language that mandates a 20-year minimum sentence to individuals who intentionally fire upon an on-duty police officer. The new law also imposes a sentence of death or life imprisonment on anyone convicted of killing a law enforcement officer.
Over the last five years, the number of weapons-related assaults on police officers has increased by 82 percent in Pennsylvania.
The bill raises the mandatory minimum sentence for anyone shooting a firearm at a police officer to 20 years. It also increases penalties for crimes related to straw purchases of firearms, for lying when filing federal paperwork to buy a gun and for filing a false report of a stolen gun.
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