(KNSI) – A pair of bills moving through the Minnesota Senate would stiffen penalties for anyone who uses a gun while committing a crime. The Minnesota Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee is reviewing two similar bills that would force prosecutors to follow state minimum mandatory sentences if a weapon was used to commit a crime.
Under current state law, prosecutors follow minimum sentencing guidelines only if someone brandishes, displays, employs, or threatens someone with a firearm. The new proposals mean someone who has a firearm on their person is subject to the minimum sentence.
Senator Warren Limmer of Maple Grove and Senator Paul Gazelka of East Gull Lake, the authors of the two similar bills, say the legislation is needed so county attorneys can impose harsher penalties for violent offenders.
The committee held over the proposals for possible inclusion in a larger public safety bill.
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