Is it right to refer to this as "gun control?" Couldn't it be argued that this is more about police work than gun control? Or is this where the two meet?A man convicted of buying a .38-caliber handgun and illegally selling it to a drug dealer faced sentencing in a Philadelphia courtroom last month. The crime had led to considerable anguish: The dealer had used the gun to murder his girlfriend, and then he turned it on himself. One straw purchaser, one illegal gun transfer - and two deaths by gunfire.
Arguing for a stiff sentence, the prosecutor noted that straw purchasers never have prior criminal records, which is why they are able to buy guns for people who do. The judge noted the "harm caused in this city and this state by illegal straw purchasing" and sentenced the gun buyer to 11½ to 23 months in jail.
This is the hard work, week in and week out, of the men and women of the Philadelphia Gun Violence Task Force. The task force is a team of local prosecutors and detectives from the state Attorney General's Office who investigate and prosecute straw gun purchases and sales - crimes that fuel the violence plaguing Philadelphia and other communities across Pennsylvania.
What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
"Is it right to refer to this as "gun control?" Couldn't it be argued that this is more about police work than gun control? Or is this where the two meet?"
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a gun control law. And usually you will find us in agreement that there are enough laws on the books if they would be enforced.