Should we increase penalties for people who use guns in a crime?

[ripcord]

This is one thing we can do, if people are going to use guns to commit crimes they should expect to be punished hard for it.

[Walleye]

1. I think somebody takes a gun out and start throwing shots in a crowd they know their life is forfeit

I just don’t see how the threat of more severe punishment deters these guys. If they could think logically about their own self interest they wouldn’t be carrying a gun in the first place

[ripcord]

2. How about people that use guns in everyday crimes

Shouldn't we be coming down on anyone who uses or carries a gun when committing any crime?

[Walleye]

4. I read somewhere that the severity of punishment is not as good a deterrent as the certainty of it

If 100% of the criminals were caught and punished then the penalties are probably appropriate. The problem is we don’t just round them up and put them in jail. Which of course we can’t do. I think most criminals just think you’re gonna get lucky when it comes to everyday thugs. And often they do get lucky. We need to direct more police resources to the violent crimes not the nonviolent misdemeanors. Also the first time someone steps out of line, take their fucking guns

[Dr. Strange]

3. Probably not.

We like to talk about getting tough on gun crime, but then the second a sympathetic criminal comes along, we'll backtrack and make excuses. The Marissa Alexander case is a prime example:
https://upload.democraticunderground.com/1014119194
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10023267762
https://upload.democraticunderground.com/1014918122

[Ohio Joe]

5. Well...

I think our criminal justice system should be revamped to focus on rehabilitation instead of revenge.

[ForgedCrank]

6. We already

do that in most places (maybe all? I don't know). It's an added level of severity if a gun is used in a crime.
I can't remember how it is referenced in legal-speak, but I know it's there.

[llashram]

7. yes

[ForgedCrank]

8. I got curious

and started looking and I found one of those laws.

MANDATORY MINIMUM PENALTIES FOR FIREARMS OFFENSES IN THE FEDERAL SYSTEM
https://www.ussc.gov/research/research-reports/mandatory-minimum-penalties-firearms-offenses-federal-system

[ripcord]

9. But some DAs choose not to use those tools

Many plea bargain gun crimes down to something that doesn't include a firearm. We like to talk about how bad guns are but we really don't want to punish people who use guns in a crime.

[Effete Snob]

10. If the problem is DA's unwilling to charge, then why increase penalties?

There are already enhancements to all sorts of crimes if a gun is used.

[ForgedCrank]

11. Lax prosecutors

is an entirely different subject altogether.
They have been abusing their latitude for quite some time now, but I don't want to go off-topic on this thread.
I just weighed in on the fact that we already have these laws, and they are pretty tough already.