Armed robbery legislation among new Tenn. laws

Legislation that requires people convicted of armed robbery to serve most of their sentences in prison is among a number of measures that will become law July 1.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Legislation that requires people convicted of armed robbery to serve most of their sentences in prison is among a number of measures that will become law July 1. The measure would increase the minimum time served for aggravated robbery with a weapon from 30 percent of the sentence to 70 percent. Supporters have said the change would mean offenders would serve at least six years, up from the current minimum of about 2â•œ years. The law would pay for the longer prison time by transferring sentences for first-time convictions for 19 nonviolent felonies to community corrections programs. The measure was supported by the state’s police chiefs and by prosecutors. House Minority Leader Gary Odom, a Nashville Democrat and sponsor of the measure, said the "law is smart on crime." "It makes certain that our limited number of jail cells will be available to house our most violent criminals," he said. "It will save lives because it more than doubles the minimum sentence for armed robbery." There are a few gun bills that will also become law. One allows handgun permit holders in Tennessee to carry their weapons while big game bowhunting, and another makes it clear ammunition can be transported alongside rifles or shotguns as long as they’re not loaded. Legislation allowing handgun carry permit holders to bring weapons into bars and alcohol-serving restaurants became law immediately after both chambers voted overwhelmingly last month to override the governor’s veto of the legislation. The measure applies to the state’s 270,000 handgun carry permit holders. Bar and restaurant owners maintain the power to ban all weapons from their establishments. Another measure taking effect July 1 seeks to improve the state’s "Silver Alert System," which works similarly to the "Amber Alert System" to help locate missing individuals who have Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. The measure removes the age requirement to include any citizen with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or a physical impairment. Previously, the law was limited to those 60 years of age or older. Approximately 100,000 Tennesseans and as many as 5.2 million persons nationwide are living with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. "We are glad the Legislature is taking this issue seriously," said Karin Miller, spokeswoman for AARP Tennessee. "It’s truly a matter of life or death. Minutes count when someone with Alzheimer’s disease or any form of dementia is missing, so it’s imperative that the information gets to the public and law enforcement quickly so that person can be found." Also taking effect is legislation that will benefit victims of the devastating flood that hit Nashville the first weekend in May. The measure creates a refund of up to $2,500 for the sales tax paid on purchases of major appliances, furniture, or building supplies. A fine of $25,000 will be imposed for fraudulent activity. The flood legislation is part of the state’s nearly $30 billion spending plan, which relies on $185 million from the state’s cash reserves instead of new taxes to fill a $150 million shortfall. Besides helping flood victims, the budget, which also takes effect July 1, saves a key program to combat infant mortality. Tennessee has the 47th worst infant death rate in the country, with Memphis’ death rate ranking the worst among U.S. cities and comparable to that of some Third World countries. Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.

About Post Author

Comments

From the Web

Skip to content