NCJ Number
160192
Date Published
1992
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Violent career criminals are responsible for much of the gun-related violence in the United States; by increasing penalties for repeat offenders who use guns to commit their crimes, the high rate of gun-related violence can be reduced.
Abstract
The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) enforces 18 U.S. C. (U.S. Code) 924(c) and (e). These laws are aimed at the career criminal who commits a disproportionate number of violent crimes. Section 924(c) mandates 5 years imprisonment for the first offense and 20 years for the second, with no parole and no probation for persons convicted of committing a violent or drug trafficking crime while carrying or using firearms. Section 924(e) sets a 15-year, no parole, no probation sentence for anyone found with a firearm who has three convictions for violent felonies or drug-related crimes. In 1986, ATF began Project Achilles, a nationwide program that targeted the armed violent criminal. This project targets, investigates, and prosecutes criminals who qualify for mandatory and enhanced sentencing under the armed career criminal statutes. Since the enactment of these statutes, 1,864 criminals have been incarcerated for 17,680 years plus 10 life sentences. ATF inspectors work with the special agents to uncover purchasing patterns and weapons commonly used as crime guns to aid in the apprehension of criminals who purchase firearms for use in crime. A mandatory 5-year penalty for possession of a firearm by a person who has been convicted of a violent felony or serious drug offense will help to take the most dangerous criminals off the street. In addition, increased penalties for supplying false information to firearms dealers will have an effect on "straw man" purchasers, because they will face tougher penalties for aiding criminals in procuring firearms.