Maryland: "Grant triggers special firearms prosecutor "

[cuchulainn]

from the Towson Times

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_...ID=501435&CategoryID=1840&show=localnews&om=1

Grant triggers special firearms prosecutor

10/29/03
Story By Bryan P.Sears
Respond to this story
Email this story to a friend

The Baltimore County state's attorney's office is hoping a new grant will help prosecutors get ahead of the growing number of firearms cases by allowing them to dedicate a prosecutor to the problem.

Last week, the County Council unanimously approved use of a state grant totaling nearly $72,000 to fund a special prosecutor for the State's Attorney Firearms Violence Unit.

Stephen Bailey, a deputy state's attorney, said the growing number of firearms-related arrests created the need for a special prosecutor.

"We're sending a message that you don't want, under any circumstances, to find yourself under (a charge) of possession of a firearm," Bailey said.

Bailey said police and the state's attorney's office have seen a 6 percent rise in arrests for gun-related violence at a time when the number of overall arrests is going down.

Added to that, Bailey said, is the fact that the county is second only to Baltimore City in the number of convicted felons who are released into the community after serving their sentences.

"The potential pool for illegal firearms cases is growing," Bailey said. "We are seeing a greater need to coordinate than ever before."

Currently, firearms-related cases are distributed among county prosecutors.

As a result of the grant, the new prosecutor will review each case to determine if it qualifies for prosecution under federal law _ which in some cases offers tougher penalties. The prosecutor will also work with police on warrants and specific investigations.

The grant will also pay for training on firearms sentencing and a trip to the gun range for judges.

"It's a good thing if you've never picked up a firearm and fired it and felt the difference between weapons," Bailey said.

The office of state's attorney Sandra O'Connor must reapply for the grant in each of the next two years. There is no guarantee the state will have the money though, given the tight budget situation that is expected to continue next year.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Have ya'll noticed how the term "gun crime" lately has intentionally blurred the line between violence committed with firearms, and "status" crimes, such as possession without a permission slip, fumbling your paperwork, leaving stray rounds in the trunk, and so on?

It's time to start clanging the alarms on this one. It's coming for us.

Bailey said police and the state's attorney's office have seen a 6 percent rise in arrests for gun-related violence at a time when the number of overall arrests is going down.

OK, they assert an increase in violence using guns.

The response?

We're sending a message that you don't want, under any circumstances, to find yourself under (a charge) of possession of a firearm,"

And this is part of the inner dynamic of gun control.

We all recognize that the police are crime preventers only in that criminals try pretty hard not to commit crimes in their presence, when they actually are present. Other than thay, police can only be reactive to crime.

One of the very few "proactive" things they can do, which "justifies" good press, grants, and budget increases is go after things that are percieved as the "precursors" to crime.


:banghead: :banghead:

 

[Standing Wolf]

...the county is second only to Baltimore City in the number of convicted felons who are released into the community after serving their sentences.

Well, gosh! Don't criminals know it's illegal for them to possess firearms?

 

[Gunfyter]

You have to know that it's a hoot to live in this state. With these thinkers at the helm, the ship will surely crash and sink on the rocks. Speaking of rocks, the ones in my yard are smarter than these people.