Florida’s new bill would create harsher penalties for children caught with gun possession, and the state Legislature is scheduled to debate the proposal this week.
House Bill 1181, the Juvenile Justice Act, would make first-time illegal possession of a firearm by a minor a first-degree felony instead of a first-degree misdemeanor and extend the time a child spends in juvenile hall. If it’s your first offense, you’ll be sent to a juvenile detention center for five days, your second offense for 21 days, and your third offense to a juvenile detention center.
Republican state Rep. Bernie Jack is the bill’s sponsor.
“If we address this type of crime, we’re going to be safer as a result,” Jack told FOX 13 Tampa Bay. “Secondly, this is going to help these young people, because I look at this as a prosecutor in the adult court system. There were young people who were getting away with the same crimes as juveniles; When they were in the adult court system, it wasn’t like that, much less tolerated.”
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A new bill proposed in Florida would create harsher penalties for children found in possession of guns. (Brittany Newman, Associated Press)
According to FOX 13, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri helped state lawmakers write the bill.
“We need to change the law,” Gualtieri said at a press conference in December. “We need to get serious, we need to get tough and we need to lock these kids up. Send a message.”
Gualtieri was speaking after a 14-year-old boy was shot and killed on Christmas Eve by his 23-year-old sister Avril Baldwin while trying to break up a dispute over Christmas presents. In Largo, Florida. The 15-year-old then allegedly shot and killed his 14-year-old brother.
Both brothers had previously been charged with gun possession. Gualtieri said he suspected the gun used in the shooting was stolen from an unlocked car, and officials said it was the gun involved in most crimes committed by teens in the area. How is it obtained?
“The prevalence of guns on the streets, the prevalence of guns in this community, the prevalence of guns in the hands of children is the worst I’ve ever seen,” Gualtieri said.
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The Florida Legislature is scheduled to consider House Bill 1181 this week. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
“So what do they do? ‘Oh, well, he’s only 14 years old. He doesn’t really understand what’s going on. We’ll just give him probation.’ It’s not working. , it’s not working…enough slaps on the wrist,” he added.
Gualtieri said the bill had been on the table since before Baldwin’s death.
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“I really hope that the Florida Legislature takes this issue seriously in the next legislative session and passes legislation that will hold our children accountable and help slow this down. Because if we don’t, we have a big problem.” There is a problem,” Gualtieri said.
The Senate Fiscal Policy Committee will consider the House companion bill on Thursday.
