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PA: Task force on toughening gun penalties
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
Task force holds first meeting on toughening gun penalties
BY RAY FLANAGAN / STAFF WRITER 08/03/2002
Drug dealers who illegally carry guns and those who sell them weapons are the principal targets of a new state-federal task force formed to send offenders to jail for at least five years.
Anyone who lies on applications to purchase weapons also could fall under the push to reduce illegal gun crimes.
The first full meeting of "Operation Ceasefire" was held Friday in the Lackawanna County Courthouse to discuss how the program, which will see county prosecutors trying defendants in federal courts.
The idea behind the program, which is funded by a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, is to have criminals who would normally be tried in state courts exposed to the federal five-year mandatory minimum for weapons' violations.
The criminal prosecutions will be joined with a publicity blitz to educate citizens on gun safety, including proper storage and prevention of theft.
"The primary objective is to marshal the efforts of local, state and federal officials to more effectively combat gun violence and to send a clear message that those convicted of crimes where a firearm was used will face stiff punishment," District Attorney Andy Jarbola said.
Assistant District Attorney Amy Phillips, who specializes in drug prosecutions, will be county coordinator for the program. She and First Assistant District Attorney Eugene Talerico will be designated to do the federal prosecutions.
The grant, Mr. Talerico said, will be used to hire two new assistant district attorneys.
What prosecutions will go into federal court will be decided by Ms. Phillips and Mr. Talerico in conjunction with Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gurganus.
Other members of the task force are State Police Sgt. Mark Lavelle; FBI Agents Ed Hankop and Kevin Shanley; Chief County Detective Thomas Dubas; Sheriff John Szymanski; Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Agent John Seiler; Scranton Police Chief David Elliott and Patrol Officer Carl Graziano; Drug Enforcement Agent William Langan and South Abington Township Police Chief Robert Gerrity, representing the county police chiefs.
In addition to prosecutions and education, the task force is mandated to:
Investigate gun trafficking in the county.
Develop a protocol for prosecuting gun-related crimes.
Reduce illegal gun sales by 15 percent within three years.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=4942234&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=416045&rfi=6
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
BY RAY FLANAGAN / STAFF WRITER 08/03/2002
Drug dealers who illegally carry guns and those who sell them weapons are the principal targets of a new state-federal task force formed to send offenders to jail for at least five years.
Anyone who lies on applications to purchase weapons also could fall under the push to reduce illegal gun crimes.
The first full meeting of "Operation Ceasefire" was held Friday in the Lackawanna County Courthouse to discuss how the program, which will see county prosecutors trying defendants in federal courts.
The idea behind the program, which is funded by a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, is to have criminals who would normally be tried in state courts exposed to the federal five-year mandatory minimum for weapons' violations.
The criminal prosecutions will be joined with a publicity blitz to educate citizens on gun safety, including proper storage and prevention of theft.
"The primary objective is to marshal the efforts of local, state and federal officials to more effectively combat gun violence and to send a clear message that those convicted of crimes where a firearm was used will face stiff punishment," District Attorney Andy Jarbola said.
Assistant District Attorney Amy Phillips, who specializes in drug prosecutions, will be county coordinator for the program. She and First Assistant District Attorney Eugene Talerico will be designated to do the federal prosecutions.
The grant, Mr. Talerico said, will be used to hire two new assistant district attorneys.
What prosecutions will go into federal court will be decided by Ms. Phillips and Mr. Talerico in conjunction with Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gurganus.
Other members of the task force are State Police Sgt. Mark Lavelle; FBI Agents Ed Hankop and Kevin Shanley; Chief County Detective Thomas Dubas; Sheriff John Szymanski; Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Agent John Seiler; Scranton Police Chief David Elliott and Patrol Officer Carl Graziano; Drug Enforcement Agent William Langan and South Abington Township Police Chief Robert Gerrity, representing the county police chiefs.
In addition to prosecutions and education, the task force is mandated to:
Investigate gun trafficking in the county.
Develop a protocol for prosecuting gun-related crimes.
Reduce illegal gun sales by 15 percent within three years.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=4942234&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=416045&rfi=6
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
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