Bill Could Lighten Sentences For First-Time Felony Firearm Charges

A Michigan Legislative committee today will consider a measure that repeals the mandatory minimum sentence for a first time conviction on a felony firearm charge.

The bill effectively gives more sentencing discretion to judges, and also allows judges to hand down a sentence consecutively with other sentences.

It’s part of an effort to ease the growing prison population.

The mandatory two year minimum has been in effect for more than 35 years.

Barb Levine of the Citizens Alliance on Prisons & Public Spending says the current law hasn’t worked since there’s no evidence it has provided any better protection for the public, but instead has just made for a more costly prison system.

State corrections officials have said the bill could result in the need for up to 2,500 fewer beds in the system.