Gun Offenders to Serve Full Sentence in Jail LA County Sheriff Says

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said today that anyone arrested and convicted for using a gun during the commission of a crime or in illegal possession of a gun will serve their full statutory sentence in the county jail.

McDonnell said he exercised his legal authority to prioritize inmates convicted of crimes involving gun violence because they are among those who pose the greatest threat to the community.

McDonnell also said information from the LASD Criminal Intelligence Bureau and federal, state and local law enforcement partners about the rise in gun violence and gun-related threats against schools nationwide prompted his decision to add more than 50 additional charges to the list of major crime offenses.

The new list of both felony and misdemeanor levels includes charges such as carjacking, crimes against children, domestic violence, kidnapping, rape, and violent assault/assault with a deadly weapon.

“If you are arrested and convicted for using a gun during the commission of a crime, or you are in illegal possession of a gun, you will serve your full statutory sentence in the county jail,” McDonnell said.

Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer offered his support of McDonnell's move during a joint news conference at the Hall of Justice.

“A critical part of preventing gun violence is aggressively enforcing our gun laws -- including demonstrating that if you break those laws, there will be consequences," Feuer said. “I applaud Sheriff McDonnell for ensuring those convicted of breaking our commonsense gun laws will serve meaningful time in jail."

Photo: Getty Images


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