Politics & Government

Jim Durkin: Tougher Gun-Crime Penalties Good But Costly

The Illinois House Republican leader said he supports Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's goal of three-year prison sentences for illegal gun possession, but noted that a significant cost would come wi

Written by Joe O'Donnell

State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) says he thinks penalties for gun crimes should be more strict, according to a WBBM Newsradio report, but worries more prison sentences will be more costly for Illinois taxpayers.

The Illinois House's new Republican leader, a former Chicago prosecutor, said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's goal of three-year prison sentences for illegal-gun-possession offenders is noble, according to WBBM.

But, the station reports, "Durkin said the court system already is very crowded, and authorities would have to find more bed space in jails and prisons for the additional influx of inmates that would result from tougher gun penalties."

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Durkin will be the guest this weekend on WBBM’s At Issue, which airs Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Read the full WBBM report here.

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What do you think? Should illegal gun possession carry more serious sentencing guidelines? Tell us in the comments.


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