I cringe every time I hear this statement. Penalties are harsh enough - enforce them!
I go hoarse and get writer cramps say this over and over and over again ...
Why is it that when ever something comes along for the PC crowd it is always the worst possible thing and must have special laws and penalties? It is worse to beat up a black man than me, it is worse to kill a muslim than me, it is worse to threaten and scare an Indian than me, and it is worse to spray paint a Jew's house than mine. Now it is going to be worse to kill a person with a gun than a knife, it is going to be worse to use a gun in a hold up than a baseball bat, and it will be worse to threaten someone with a gun than with a fist.
Treat all the existing laws equally, pursue all criminals equally, and focus on existing laws before you add a whole new tier of "feel good" legislation!
Oh ... and when someone is victimized (like raped), and the system will not step in to protect them, at least give them a free shotgun and ammo.