PA Governor Rendell Signs Bill to Protect Police Officers

PHILADELPHIA, Oct 17, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ — New Law Mandates Minimum 20-Year Prison Sentence for Anyone Shooting at a Member of Law Enforcement

Calling it an important measure that will better protect communities and the lives of law enforcement officers, Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed House Bill 1845, which mandates a minimum 20-year sentence for those who shoot, or shoot at, a law enforcement officer and imposes longer prison terms for other gun-related offenses. The Governor signed the bill at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5 headquarters on Spring Garden Street.

Before signing the bill, Governor Rendell recalled recent tragedies that took the lives of Philadelphia police offers — four of whom were killed with a firearm.

“As we stand here today, we are still shocked and still outraged by the senseless killing of Sgt. Patrick McDonald last month. And we still have not forgotten the brutal shooting deaths of Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski, Officer Chuck Cassidy and Officer Gary Skerski, as well as the death of Officer Isabel Nazario,” said Governor Rendell.

“The members of our law enforcement have been under attack. From 2002 to 2007, the number of assaults of law enforcement officers with firearms in Pennsylvania increased by 82 percent. Nationally, that number was far less; just 13 percent.

“This legislation will help to stem the violence committed against our police by requiring that those who shoot at them be put behind bars for at least 20 years,” the Governor said.

H.B. 1845 requires judges to impose a 20-year mandatory minimum sentence on anyone convicted of shooting or shooting at a police officer and closes a glaring loophole that allowed some mentally ill individuals to buy guns.

The new law also increases the criminal statute of limitations for prosecuting straw purchases linked to gun crimes from 2 years to 5 years. The Governor said this was particularly important because it often takes longer than 2 years for law enforcement to recover and trace a gun used in a crime. The extra time will allow prosecutors to bring additional cases against straw purchasers.

H.B. 1845 also increases a number of penalties for gun related crimes. Possessing a firearm with an altered serial number is now a 2nd degree felony — up from a 1st degree misdemeanor previously — and filing a false report when a gun is stolen will result in a 2nd degree misdemeanor penalty, up from a 3rd degree misdemeanor. Further, the new law bans anyone convicted of filing a false report from possessing firearms.

Persons found to have lied on the federal gun application may also be prosecuted now and face a 3rd degree felony charge.

“I want to acknowledge the leadership and outstanding efforts exhibited by Speaker Dennis O’Brien and Sen. Michael Stack in moving this bill through the legislature and ensuring it would have a positive impact,” said the Governor. “This is a comprehensive bill that will make Pennsylvania safer by keeping illegal guns out of our communities.

“This legislation will help police get those who peddle illegal firearms, help prosecutors put those criminals in prison for a long time, and further keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill. However, it would have been a far better bill if additional common-sense provisions to crack down on straw purchasers had been included.

“It makes no sense that the General Assembly refuses to listen to calls by law enforcement to require that lost and stolen handguns to be reported. This is a provision that would stop straw purchasers and make our communities safer. While we have made many positive steps with the bill I’m signing today, we still have a way to go.”

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell’s initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.

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