https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle-old/386/gangbill.shtml

Seventy-one House Democrats voted with a near-solid Republican majority to approve an "anti-gang" bill that includes many new and increased mandatory minimum sentences, including increased penalties for some drug offenses. H.R. 1279, "The Gang Deterrence and Community Protection Act of 2005," introduced by Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) in the midst of a manufactured hysteria linking gangs to concerns over illegal immigration and fears of terrorism, is now headed to the Senate.

Among the bill's numerous harsh provisions are sections that redefine gangs as three or more people who commit at least two crimes defined as "gang crimes," and define "gang crimes" as any violent crime, attempt to intimidate witnesses, firearms violations, or drug distribution or trafficking.

Most Orwellian, however, is a section that defines nonviolent drug trafficking offenses as violent crimes. Previously "crimes of violence" only included felonies that involved in a substantial risk of force. Under this bill, however, a violent crime is redefined as "any other offense that is an offense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year and that, by its nature, involves a substantial risk that physical force may be used against the person or property of another, or is an offense punishable under subparagraphs (A), (B), or (C) of section 401(b)(1) of the Controlled Substances Act." In other words, drug trafficking offenses.

According to an analysis by Families Against Mandatory Minimums, the bill also:

• Creates new mandatory minimum sentences for "aid to racketeering."
• Creates new death penalty offenses.
• Redefines "car jacking" to eliminate the requirement that the offense include the "intent to cause death or serious bodily harm."
• Creates a new mandatory five-year minimum sentence for providing weapons to drug traffickers.
• Creates mandatory consecutive sentences for violent crimes in aid of racketeering activity.
• Creates new mandatory consecutive sentences for murder and other violent crimes linked to a drug trafficking offense.

Or maybe even if you don't.

	Please make a generous donation to support Drug War Chronicle in 2007!

PERMISSION to reprint or redistribute any or all of the contents of Drug War Chronicle (formerly The Week Online with DRCNet is hereby granted. We ask that any use of these materials include proper credit and, where appropriate, a link to one or more of our web sites. If your publication customarily pays for publication, DRCNet requests checks payable to the organization. If your publication does not pay for materials, you are free to use the materials gratis. In all cases, we request notification for our records, including physical copies where material has appeared in print. Contact: StoptheDrugWar.org: the Drug Reform Coordination Network, P.O. Box 18402, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 293-8340 (voice), (202) 293-8344 (fax), e-mail [email protected]. Thank you.

Articles of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of the DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.

Out from the Shadows HEA Drug Provision Drug War Chronicle Perry Fund DRCNet en Español Speakeasy Blogs About Us Home Why Legalization? NJ Racial Profiling Archive Subscribe Donate DRCNet em Português Latest News Drug Library Search special friends links: SSDP - Flex Your Rights - IAL - Drug War Facts StoptheDrugWar.org: the Drug Reform Coordination Network (DRCNet) 1623 Connecticut Ave., NW, 3rd Floor, Washington DC 20009 Phone (202) 293-8340 Fax (202) 293-8344 [email protected]