Baltimore lawmakers water down gun bill mandating 1-year sentence

Associated Press//July 25, 2017//

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Lawmakers in Baltimore are watering down a proposal to impose mandatory one-year jail terms for carrying illegal handguns.

Media outlets report that a city council committee adopted an amendment Tuesday that would exempt first-time offenders unless they are committing other crimes too.

Mayor Catherine Pugh introduced the bill that would impose a one-year sentence for illegally possessing a gun within 300 feet of a school, park, public building or church. State law already provides a minimum one-year term on a second offense.

The council bill imposes a $1,000 fine.

Community and labor groups declared their opposition at a news conference Tuesday, saying research shows incarceration doesn’t make communities safer. Seven of the 15 council members have expressed support or are co-sponsoring the bill. Five have pledged to vote against it.