NCJ Number
53733
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
A MICHIGAN LAW MANDATES AT LEAST 2 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ANY PERSON CONVICTED OF COMMITING A FELONY WHILE IN POSSESSION OF A FIREARM. THE IMPACT OF THIS LAW ON BOTH USE OF WEAPONS AND PRISON POPULATION ARE ASSESSED.
Abstract
THE LAW BECAME EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1977. AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 1977, THERE WERE 311 PERSONS IN PRISON WHO HAD BEEN CONVICTED UNDER THE 'GUN LAW.' THE BREAKDOWN IS GIVEN BY COUNTY, WITH 83 PERCENT COMING FROM WAYNE COUNTY (DETROIT). OF THESE 311 PERSONS, ONLY 20 WERE SERVING UNDER THE FIREARMS PENALTY ALONE. OF THIS NUMBER 82 PERCENT WERE NONWHITE (COMPARED WITH 55 PERCENT NONWHITE FOR ALL FELONY CONVICTIONS COMBINED). A COMPARISON OF CONVICTIONS DURING A 2-WEEK PERIOD IN 1976, BEFORE THE LAW WENT INTO EFFECT, AND IN LATE 1977 FOUND THAT 12 PERCENT OF THOSE SENTENCED IN 1977 HAD HAD A FIREARM IN THEIR POSSESSION AT THE TIME OF THE CRIME, COMPARED TO 10.7 PERCENT IN 1976. TOTAL USE OF ALL WEAPONS WAS ABOUT 17 PERCENT IN BOTH YEARS. HOWEVER, YEAR-LONG STATISTICS FROM WAYNE COUNTY INDICATE A REDUCTION IN REPORTED CRIMES IN WHICH WEAPONS ARE INVOLVED. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REPORTED CRIMES AND CONVICTIONS. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 200 PERSONS A YEAR WILL BE SENTENCED UNDER THIS LAW. MORE DETAILED STUDY IS URGED TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF THIS LEGISLATION. (GLR)