Compare Bills

Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate2025-03-19

Vote Breakdown

Plain Language Summary

This bill creates three new criminal offenses for people with prior felony convictions who illegally possess firearms or weapons of mass death and destruction while committing other felonies. The offenses carry increasingly severe penalties depending on whether the person merely possesses the weapon, brandishes it, or discharges it during the commission of a felony.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill targets dangerous repeat offenders and reduces gun violence by imposing stricter penalties when felons use weapons during crimes.
• •They contend that enhancing sentences for felon-in-possession cases that occur during active felonies provides stronger deterrence and protects public safety by keeping armed criminals off the streets longer.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may argue the bill creates overlapping charges that could lead to excessive sentencing through stacking multiple felony counts for a single criminal act.
• •Some may also be concerned about potential fairness issues in how prosecutors decide which charges to bring, or whether the enhanced penalties for brandishing and discharging are proportionate to existing sentencing structures.