Charleston, SC - A group of tough new crime bills heads to the Statehouse in January and these proposed laws come at a turbulent time in the Lowcountry.2009 was a year rocked by violence and Walterboro was shaken the most. Three people were killed when police say Danziel Chapman opened fire on a family back in November. The weapon, they say, was a high powered gun.“Anytime you are dealing with gangs, they try to equip their members better than our law enforcement,” Representative Wendell Gilliard said.4 Interact:Click Here to Comment on this StoryHe has sponsored four crime bills including a bill that calls for mandatory sentencing and a ban on high powered guns like the one allegedly used in the Walterboro slayings.The proposed ban on assault weapons would clearly define what an assault weapon is and stiffen the penalties for having one in the state. This, some lawmakers say, is the first step to getting those weapons off the streets.“We’re taking action now,” Gilliard added. “We couldn’t prevent anything that happened in the past, but we have to move forward.”The ban on assault weapons is modeled after similar laws in North Carolina and Georgia and would carry a minimum fine of $10,000 and ten years behind bars.“We can’t have a silent voice in the community while we’re having too many funerals, too many young people and babies being shot down.”The new session for lawmakers begins on Jan. 12.
MBTV
Forum Index
Help
Calendar
Contact Info
Register as a member
