Congressman Russ Carnahan's Statement on HR 1279

CONGRESSMAN RUSS CARNAHAN'S STATEMENT ON HR 1279
May 11, 2005

(Washington D.C.)- Congressman Russ Carnahan (D-MO) released the following statement today regarding HR 1279, the Gang Deterrence Act.

"Gang violence is a serious problem in some communities, and I strongly believe tough measures, such as the current RICO standards, should be used to combat this type of violence.

However, HR 1279 includes several dangerous provisions. The bill allows minors to be tried as adults and sentenced to death, which I am strongly opposed to. As a Member of the Missouri House of Representatives I co-sponsored legislation to repeal the death penalty for minors. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that the death penalty for minors is unconstitutional because it is cruel and unusual punishment.

In addition, HR 1279 creates mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines that have been shown to disproportionately discriminate against minorities. Because of these disturbing changes to our laws, I was not able to support this measure.

I also feel it is unfortunate that HR 1279 does not contain any preventative measures to deal with the source of gang violence, including no money to support local police forces. At a time when social service programs at our state and national levels are being slashed, I feel we must re-commit to working at the community level to protect our youth and prevent gang violence."

Russ Carnahan was elected on November 4, 2004 to represent the citizens of Missouri's 3rd Congressional District in the 109th United States Congress. The 3rd Congressional District includes parts of St. Louis City and St. Louis County, as well as all of Jefferson and Ste. Genevieve Counties.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo03_carnahan/prgang_051105.html