New Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates started his tenure facing some skepticism from lawmakers in Annapolis about a bill he proposed to crack down on gun penalties, but after days of questions, the new top prosecutor found a sponsor to usher his plan through the General Assembly.
On day one in office, Bates made it clear he was looking to increase the maximum penalty for misdemeanor gun possession charges for people over the age of 21. Currently, the maximum penalty for the offense is three years for offenders 21-years-old and older, but five years for those between 18 and 20 years old.
“It’s a misdemeanor so an individual only services 25% of the time on the three-year sentence, that’s eight months,” Bates said Thursday. “Individuals are wanting and feeling like they can carry an illegal handgun for an eight-month sentence. Where’s the deterrent there? To them, it’s time served. We’re looking to make it five years.”
Del. Frank Conaway, D-Baltimore City, told FOX45 News the coverage of the issue made him take another look at the proposal from Bates, and ultimately decided to sponsor the legislation.
“I’ve been thinking about it since last week,” Conaway said. “You did a wonderful job covering the issue and I’ve been looking at it from a couple different perspectives.”
The state delegate said the violence is “going too far” and he plans to sponsor not just Bates’ proposal, but also other legislation as part of a larger bill package that sends the message that violent crime won’t be tolerated.
Del. Conaway said he also plans to introduce legislation that teaches kids in the classroom how dangerous the life of crime can be, and really explain the impacts their decisions can have on their lives in the future.
On Wednesday, Del. Nino Mangione, R-Baltimore County, sent a letter to Bates offering to sponsor the legislation since no one had done so at the time. Mangione said the violence in Baltimore City impacts everyone, and he wants to partner with anyone who is looking to curb the violence.
“The violent crime is out of control; it is a crisis and it’s starting to spill into other areas. It’s time to put an end to this,” Mangione said. “Mr. Bates has decided that the wants to do something and I want him to know that I’m on his side and am willing to do anything I can to help him out.”
State’s Attorney Bates is scheduled to speak during the Baltimore City Delegation hearing on Friday; Del. Conaway said he expects other lawmakers from the City to co-sponsor the legislation as well.