Dover – The State Senate tonight passed legislation that increases the minimum prison sentences convicted felons face if they are subsequently convicted of possessing a gun.  House Bill 36, introduced by Representative Ruth Briggs King, R-Georgetown and strongly supported by Attorney General Beau Biden, doubles the mandatory jail sentences for repeat offenders later caught with a gun and increases additional mandatory sentences for the illegal possession of a gun.

“Keeping violent and repeat offenders who possess and use guns off the street for longer periods of time will make our communities safer,” Attorney General Biden said.

Under current law, persons prohibited under the law from possessing guns who are subsequently convicted of possessing or purchasing a gun face minimum mandatory jail sentences of 1 year if the offender was previously convicted of a violent felony; 3 years if the offender committed a previous violent felony within 10 years; and 5 years if the offender was previously convicted of 2 or more violent felonies.  House Bill 36, introduced by Representative Ruth Briggs King, R-Georgetown, increases those minimum mandatory jail sentences to 3 years if the offender was previously convicted of a violent felony; 5 years if the offender committed a previous violent felony within 10 years; and 10 years if the offender was previously convicted of 2 or more violent felonies. 

HB 36 now makes it way to the Governor for his signature.

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