Ask AI
Bill104th CongressFiled Mar 13, 1996Crime and Law Enforcement
S. 1612

A bill to provide for increased mandatory minimum sentences for criminals possessing firearms, and for other purposes.

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

Filed
Comm.
Floor
Both
Law

What it doesSummary passed senate amended (Oct 3, 1996)

Revises Federal criminal code provisions regarding using or carrying a firearm, and using or carrying a firearm while in possession of armor piercing ammunition capable of being fired in that firearm, during and in relation to a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime to make penalties under such provisions applicable to possessing a firearm under such circumstances.

Directs the United States Sentencing Commission: (1) to review and, if appropriate, amend the sentencing guidelines and policy statements of the Commission to enhance the sentence of any defendant who discharges a firearm during or in relation to any crime of violence or drug trafficking crime; and (2) in carrying out such provision, to ensure that there is reasonable consistency with other Federal sentencing guidelines, avoid duplicative punishment for substantially the same offense, and take into account any mitigating circumstances that might justify an exception.

What just happenedOct 4, 1996

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Helms, Jesse [R-NC](R-NC)Sponsor
20 cosponsors1 D19 R
Read on Congress.gov
20cosponsors2committees12actions1amendments1related bills17subjects
  1. Oct 4, 1996CommitteeH11000

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.

    Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee
  2. Oct 4, 1996IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  3. Oct 4, 1996Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  4. Oct 4, 1996FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  5. Oct 3, 1996Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.

  6. Oct 3, 1996Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.

  7. Oct 3, 1996Floor

    Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S12390)

  8. Oct 3, 1996Discharge

    Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Judiciary Committee
  9. Oct 3, 1996Committee14500

    Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Judiciary Committee
  10. Mar 13, 1996IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  11. Mar 13, 1996IntroReferralB00100

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1976-1977)

  12. Mar 13, 1996IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Passed Senate amendedOct 3, 199635

Revises Federal criminal code provisions regarding using or carrying a firearm, and using or carrying a firearm while in possession of armor piercing ammunition capable of being fired in that firearm, during and in relation to a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime to make penalties under such provisions applicable to possessing a firearm under such circumstances.

Directs the United States Sentencing Commission: (1) to review and, if appropriate, amend the sentencing guidelines and policy statements of the Commission to enhance the sentence of any defendant who discharges a firearm during or in relation to any crime of violence or drug trafficking crime; and (2) in carrying out such provision, to ensure that there is reasonable consistency with other Federal sentencing guidelines, avoid duplicative punishment for substantially the same offense, and take into account any mitigating circumstances that might justify an exception.

Introduced in SenateMar 13, 199600

Revises Federal criminal code provisions regarding using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime to increase mandatory minimum sentences for criminals possessing firearms under such circumstances.