Gov pushes for stiffer sentences for shooting at LEOs

[Tabdus]

Stiffer sentences urged for firing at police officers
By Michael Vitez

Inquirer Staff Writer

Anyone in Pennsylvania who shoots at a police officer - whether the bullet hits or misses - will spend at least 20 years in prison if Gov. Rendell and House Speaker Dennis O'Brien get their way.
Both pledged support yesterday for legislation that would create such a mandatory minimum sentence.

"No guilty pleas can save you. No judge can save you," Rendell said. "We want essentially zero tolerance. We want the word to go out across the state that police officers are off limits."

O'Brien (R., Phila.), who said he was introducing the legislation in part to give "meaning and purpose" to the slaying last week of Philadelphia Police Officer Chuck Cassidy, added: "If you kill a cop, you should get the death penalty."

Rendell also renewed his push for the legislature to pass bills to limit handgun purchases to one a month, permit municipalities to pass their own gun laws, and require citizens to report any lost or stolen gun to police.

O'Brien would not commit to supporting those three bills, and said the one-gun-a-month legislation was a tough sell in the pro-gun legislature.

"We can't be afraid of the NRA," Rendell countered.

He referred to a poll of Pennsylvania voters this year in which 71 percent - and 61 percent of those who owned guns - supported a one-gun-a-month limit.

Rendell said his intent was to prevent "straw sales," in which a person without a criminal record buys guns and then sells them for a high markup on the street to people who can't legally buy them.

Police have recovered the gun they suspect was used in the murder of Cassidy, and it had been reported stolen in Virginia. Police don't yet know how the alleged killer got it.

Rendell said that if the slaying of Cassidy and the shooting of four police officers in Philadelphia in five weeks wasn't sufficient evidence for the legislature to act, "then I don't know what is."

The House last year passed, 199-1, a bill that O'Brien introduced to increase the mandatory minimum sentence for someone who shoots at a police officer to 10 years. That bill never made it through the Senate.

O'Brien plans to reintroduce the bill with the 20-year minimum, and Rendell said he hoped the House and Senate passed it before Christmas. "That would make a great present to police officers," he said.

[lonehiker]

there go the piliticans pushing their own poiltical advancement again contrary to reality

why doens't Rendell come down on the legal system (judges and parole boards) that keep letting career criminals out on the street (the real problem)

these crimes are not commited but law abiding citizens but we are the ones the incompitant politicans want to punish

if local governments get the right to pass their own gun laws...OUR LTCF WILL BE WORTHLESS !!

[brewguy]

How about if you use any weapon in a crime you get 20 years mandatory with no parole. Why just guns and why just police. Are police somehow special? They actually get paid to be in danger, joe citizen doesn't. Why should we be less protected?

[theshadow]

This Governor has done nothing but raise taxes, sell out the state and drive off the tax base, in the name of progressive thinking and helping the less fortunate (translation, Fithydelohia welfare state and it's corrupt politicians). We need lawmakers who are willing to say ENOUGH, you are a traitor to the Commonwealth and will be charged accordingly. Unfortunately this is one of the times I get to say "Told you so" to a select few, as I told them they shouldn't vote for someone who is former DNC chair, as it will only destroy the PA we love.

[LittleRedToyota]

Rendell also renewed his push for the legislature to pass bills to limit handgun purchases to one a month

...


Rendell said his intent was to prevent "straw sales,"

...

Police have recovered the gun they suspect was used in the murder of Cassidy, and it had been reported stolen in Virginia.

and exactly how would a one-gun-a-month law in PA...or any other law in PA...have stopped this murder that was committed with a gun that was stolen in VA?

[brewguy]

and exactly how would a one-gun-a-month law in PA...or any other law in PA...have stopped this murder that was committed with a gun that was stolen in VA?

because it would keep the guns off the streets, silly man..

[Kenshin]

You wanna know what the one gun a month law in VA didnt stop this pistol from being in a crime here! So um yea. Someone needs to smack some sense into these idiots.

[dogngun]

Mr Rendell still has visions of higher office. He wants to establish his credentials as being tough on crime, saving fossil fuels, etc. I'm happy he is not in favor of people shooting at cops, I'm sure he is against burning the flag, too, but so what.

He is always trying to score the easy political points, but he is just another sleazy pol, has very little real interest in anything but himself.

Mark

[theshadow]

You wanna know what the one gun a month law in VA didnt stop this pistol from being in a crime here! So um yea. Someone needs to smack some sense into these idiots.

'fraid that 'taint gonna help friend. See those are FACTS, and solid ones at that. Politicians hate those with a passion (unless they support the argument they want). They want the smoke and mirrors to show they are doing something, even if it's passing useless redundant feel good laws. the people who propose these laws don't want them enforced, they just want the public at large to see them "doing Something", there by justifying their political existence.

[Agent Smith]

'fraid that 'taint gonna help friend. See those are FACTS, and solid ones at that. Politicians hate those with a passion (unless they support the argument they want). They want the smoke and mirrors to show they are doing something, even if it's passing useless redundant feel good laws. the people who propose these laws don't want them enforced, they just want the public at large to see them "doing Something", there by justifying their political existence.

+1

Quoted for truth.