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Mandatory Prison Sentence for Using a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime

NCJ Number
91206
Date Published
1981
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This paper gives a general overview of the public debate over firearms control, notes the advantages of advocating mandatory prison sentences for those using firearms in the commission of a crime, and cites State statutes where such provisions exist.
Abstract
Among the advantages of mandatory imprisonment for firearms use in committing a crime are that it has well-known adherents, the support of influential organizations, and is administratively easy to impose. At present, there are 23 States with mandatory sentencing measures. Some research has been done to assess the deterrent effectiveness of these measures, but results have been inconclusive. Five additional information sources are listed, and 22 references given.

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