Steven Mace
02-13-2002, 07:59 AM
Posthumus sets sights on weapons crackdown
Sentencing guidelines are targeted in state program
February 13, 2002
BY KATHLEEN GRAY
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus will announce a proposal today to crack down on people who are caught using or carrying stolen or illegal weapons.
Patterned loosely after the Project Exile program introduced in 1997 in Richmond, Va., the Republican gubernatorial candidate's initiative would more closely align federal and state sentences for firearm violations.
In Virginia, felons with gun violations are prosecuted by the federal government rather than by the state because federal sentencing guidelines impose a mandatory 5 years in prison for any felony firearm convictions. In Michigan, the maximum sentence is 2 years.
While not providing details of the proposal, Posthumus' campaign said the Michigan Exile program would build on similar initiatives in other states.
Campaign spokesman Sage Eastman said the Michigan proposal wouldn't target only felons who use a gun during a crime.
"We're not going to sit around and wait until you do something with that gun," he said. "We're going to step in before an illegal gun is used."
A similar program began in October 2000 in Kent County. There, suspects with felony firearm charges were transferred to the federal court system for prosecution. Democratic Attorney General Jennifer Granholm, also a gubernatorial candidate, signed on as one of the partners to that program and welcomes a statewide initiative.
"It's good to see the lieutenant governor come around to this," said Genna Beaudoin Gent, spokeswoman for the Attorney General's Office. "He recognizes a great idea when he sees one."
The Virginia program began under former Richmond Police Chief Jerry Oliver, who took over as Detroit's police chief last month.
In 2000 and 2001, Richmond reported 94 convictions using Project Exile, and the State of Virginia reported that gun violence in the city dropped 40 percent after the program was implemented.
The program has the endorsement of the National Rifle Association as well as the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners. It also has been endorsed by the National Association of Attorneys General.
"We've always backed this," said Ross Dykman, executive director of the gun owners' coalition. "This gets violent criminals off the street and doesn't put any burden on law-abiding citizens."
Some of the more strident gun-rights groups, like Brassroots and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, say programs like Project Exile should end because they would inevitably target non-criminal gun owners.
Scheduled to accompany Posthumus for the announcement in Southfield are Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, Oakland County Chief Assistant Prosecutor John O'Brien, Southfield Police Chief Joseph Thomas and U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Collins.
http://www.freep.com/news/mich/guns13_20020213.htm
Steve Mace
Sentencing guidelines are targeted in state program
February 13, 2002
BY KATHLEEN GRAY
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus will announce a proposal today to crack down on people who are caught using or carrying stolen or illegal weapons.
Patterned loosely after the Project Exile program introduced in 1997 in Richmond, Va., the Republican gubernatorial candidate's initiative would more closely align federal and state sentences for firearm violations.
In Virginia, felons with gun violations are prosecuted by the federal government rather than by the state because federal sentencing guidelines impose a mandatory 5 years in prison for any felony firearm convictions. In Michigan, the maximum sentence is 2 years.
While not providing details of the proposal, Posthumus' campaign said the Michigan Exile program would build on similar initiatives in other states.
Campaign spokesman Sage Eastman said the Michigan proposal wouldn't target only felons who use a gun during a crime.
"We're not going to sit around and wait until you do something with that gun," he said. "We're going to step in before an illegal gun is used."
A similar program began in October 2000 in Kent County. There, suspects with felony firearm charges were transferred to the federal court system for prosecution. Democratic Attorney General Jennifer Granholm, also a gubernatorial candidate, signed on as one of the partners to that program and welcomes a statewide initiative.
"It's good to see the lieutenant governor come around to this," said Genna Beaudoin Gent, spokeswoman for the Attorney General's Office. "He recognizes a great idea when he sees one."
The Virginia program began under former Richmond Police Chief Jerry Oliver, who took over as Detroit's police chief last month.
In 2000 and 2001, Richmond reported 94 convictions using Project Exile, and the State of Virginia reported that gun violence in the city dropped 40 percent after the program was implemented.
The program has the endorsement of the National Rifle Association as well as the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners. It also has been endorsed by the National Association of Attorneys General.
"We've always backed this," said Ross Dykman, executive director of the gun owners' coalition. "This gets violent criminals off the street and doesn't put any burden on law-abiding citizens."
Some of the more strident gun-rights groups, like Brassroots and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, say programs like Project Exile should end because they would inevitably target non-criminal gun owners.
Scheduled to accompany Posthumus for the announcement in Southfield are Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, Oakland County Chief Assistant Prosecutor John O'Brien, Southfield Police Chief Joseph Thomas and U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Collins.
http://www.freep.com/news/mich/guns13_20020213.htm
Steve Mace