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Gun violence would bring increased penalties
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Felons convicted of multiple violent crimes involving guns could face more than a decade of mandatory prison time or other increased penalties, under legislation to be introduced at the Statehouse this week and supported by Republican Attorney General Mike DeWine.
The bill’s primary sponsor, Sen. Jim Hughes, R-Columbus, is calling it the Violent Career Criminal Act, and it’s aimed at cracking down on repeat offenders who continue to commit violent crimes even after serving time behind bars.
“These are dangerous individuals, and we need to get them off the street,” DeWine said.
The legislation stems from an advisory group formed by the attorney general’s office two years ago to help law enforcement find ways to deal with gun violence.
According to statistics compiled as part of the process, Ohio’s dozen or so largest urban counties accounted for more than 90 percent of felony- violence charges statewide, and “violent career criminals” account for 57 percent of the violent crimes committed.
Under Hughes’ legislation, those convicted of two or more violent felonies caught illegally possessing guns would receive mandatory 11-year prison sentences.
The bill also would double sentences for felons convicted of multiple firearms-related crimes, to two to 14 years instead of the current one to seven years.
“This legislation is designed to go after the worst of the worst — those that are preying upon our families, our children, our women and our seniors,” Hughes said.