PA Dem Has Right
Idea to Fight Crime
By Cam Edwards. March 2, 2021
While Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, D.A. Larry Krasner, and other city officials have demanded that the GOP-controlled legislature in Harrisburg approve a number of 'gun control' bills (including a ban on modern sporting rifles), a freshman Democrat is offering up a piece of legislation that would do far more to improve public safety and reduce violent crime in the city, without infringing on the rights of law-abiding residents.
Rep. Amen Brown says he'll be introducing a bill in the near future that would increase the penalties for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Each subsequent offense would come with more time behind bars, including a mandatory minimum sentence to ensure consequences for those carrying a gun when they're prohibited by law from possessing one.
"Prior convicted felons are illegally obtaining firearms to commit violence on our streets, feeling that if they are caught and prosecuted, their consequences are minimal," he said in a memo that began circulating Monday afternoon to his House colleagues seeking their support. "The terrorizing of our neighborhoods must stop and those committing these crimes must be held accountable."
His proposal also would make these offenders ineligible for bail unless they can demonstrate that they won't pose a public safety risk if released.
Brown, who could not be reached on Monday for comment, represents a district in West Philadelphia that residents live in constant fear in their neighborhoods, he said in his memo.
"It is hard to witness what is happening in my community, as well as hear the fear that my constituents possess," he said.
We know that in cities like Philadelphia, a preponderance of violent crime is committed by a few individuals, most of them well known to law enforcement and the court system. Rather than trying to impose new laws on the possession of firearms for all, Brown's taking a targeted approach to dealing with the most violent offenders.
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In principle this approach is more logical and at least targets violent offenders, instead of the usual attempts at trying to punish good people's rights for the sins of the few. Despite that, it remains to be seen if the bill gains any traction as it will probably not satisfy those intent as always on dealing with violence by punishing those who least deserve it.
