Montco Man Sentenced After Guilty Plea in String of Gun Thefts

**Story** · September 22nd, 2009, 12:18 PM

The mastermind of a suburban Philadelphia burglary ring that broke into homes and stole guns will spend at least six years behind bars after pleading guilty to numerous charges in Montgomery County, Pa.

On Tuesday, the day his trial was scheduled to begin, 24-year-old Kenneth Gatlin admitted his role leading the gang that stole handguns and double-barreled shotguns from dozens of homes in Montgomery, Chester, and Berks counties.

Authorities say those guns were sold to drug dealers on the streets of Philadelphia.

http://www.kyw1060.com/Montco-Man-Se...Thefts/5272944

Gotta wonder what the proportion is on firearms that get into criminals hands, theft vs. 'straw purchases'.

**crlovel** · September 23rd, 2009, 08:45 AM

Wait. I think I see part of the problem here. ONLY SIX YEARS?!?!?!? ARE THEY INSANE!??!?!?!?!?!?

**Siobhra** · September 23rd, 2009, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by crlovel

Wait. I think I see part of the problem here. ONLY SIX YEARS?!?!?!? ARE THEY INSANE!??!?!?!?!?!?

One year or two max. Good behavior. It should be 30 years for each stolen gun connected to a shooting.

**shooter357** · September 23rd, 2009, 09:14 AM

It is quite obvious that WE see the problem, now we need to get Rendell and his cronies to see it or at least go after the criminals and get off of our backs.

ETA: Six years is a right of passage for these gangbangers. All these cheap sentences do is reinforce their behavior by allowing them to "move up" in their gang.