Legislation Seeks to Reduce  Penalties for Using Guns in a Crime

Los Angeles, May 22, 2017 – As Sacramento cracks down on legal gun ownership, it simultaneously is lessening the penalties on gun violence. In an astounding reversal, the legislature now wants to eliminate language that prohibits judges from eliminating the penalties when someone uses a gun during mayhem, rape, murder, robbery, carjacking and other extremely violent felonies.

Senator Steven Bradford introduced Senate Bill 620 (SB 620) and it recently passed the State Senate, 22-14.  Under current law, anyone who uses a gun in committing very specific violent felonies must have their sentence increased by 10 years or more in prison on top of the penalty for the felony. These felonies are the worst possible felonies that a criminal can commit including forcible rape, child molestation, and murder. SB 620 would eliminate that mandate.

“We in the Association of Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA) strongly condemn the flagrant disregard for public safety that SB 620 represents. It is irresponsible for the state legislature to lessen the penalties on those who are committing the most heinous types of crimes. While Sacramento is looking for ways to make gun ownership more difficult, they are on the verge of passing a law that dramatically lessens the punishment for gun wielding criminals,” said Eric Siddall, Vice President of the ADDA.<

The bill now moves to the State Assembly.  We urge the public to write to or call their state Assembly member and Governor Brown to express their opposition to SB 620.  You can determine who your state representatives are by clicking here and entering your zip code.

The Association of Los Angeles Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA) is the collective bargaining agent and represents nearly 1,000 Deputy District Attorneys who work for the County of Los Angeles.