Fitch targets gangs with new legislation
JACKSON, MS — Attorney General Lynn Fitch is calling on state lawmakers to pass a pair of bills aimed at dismantling gang activity and curbing juvenile gun violence across Mississippi.
The proposed legislation, HB 1165 and SB 2710, seeks to shift jurisdiction for certain firearm-related offenses involving minors to circuit courts. The bills also propose stiffer penalties for the transfer of stolen firearms and establish a new criminal penalty for discharging a weapon into a crowd.
Law enforcement rallies behind the bills
The push for reform has gained unanimous support from the state’s primary law enforcement organizations, including the Mississippi Prosecutors Association, the Sheriffs’ Association, and the Association of Chiefs of Police.
- Recruitment tactics: AG Fitch noted that over 200 gangs currently operate in Mississippi, often using minors to commit crimes to avoid severe legal consequences.
- Accountability: Law enforcement leaders argue that juvenile crime rates have reached record highs, necessitating a shift in how the justice system handles violent offenders under 18.
- Community safety: Officials stated the bills are designed to protect public spaces like schools and churches while making recruitment less attractive to gang leaders.
Legislative status
HB 1165, introduced by Representative Jansen Owen, is currently under review by the House Judiciary B Committee. Its counterpart, SB 2710, introduced by Senator Joey Fillingane, successfully passed out of the Senate Judiciary B Committee last week.
Proponents of the measure believe these changes will ensure penalties better reflect the severity of the crimes committed, with the goal of reducing the presence of violent criminals on Mississippi streets by 100 percent.
