Kustoff Re-Introduces the Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act

Press Release

Today, Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) re-introduced the Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act of 2021. This legislation will protect Americans from the most violent, repeat offenders. It reinstates an important tool for prosecutors to seek enhanced penalties against violent, repeat offenders. Congressman Kustoff is joined by Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) in re-introducing this legislation in the House.

This legislation is supported by the National Sheriffs' Association and the National Association of Police Organizations.

"Our local law enforcement officers work around the clock to keep our citizens and communities safe. The least we can do to support them is ensure that fewer violent criminals are released back on the streets. As we recognize this week as National Police Week, I am honored to re-introduce this commonsense measure," said Rep. Kustoff. "I look forward to passing this bill to not only protect the American people, but to help our brave men and women in law enforcement."

"Violent, repeat criminals should be behind bars, not roaming the streets threatening law-abiding citizens. The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act will give back federal prosecutors the tool they need to lock up hardened, repeat offenders," said Sen. Cotton.

Background

The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act would do away with the concepts of "violent felony" and "serious drug offense" and replace them with a single category of "serious felony." A serious felony would be any crime punishable by 10 years or more. By defining "serious felony" solely based on the potential term of imprisonment, the bill would address the vagueness issue and remove any discretion or doubt about which offenses qualify.

The bill would give federal prosecutors an additional tool to go after the most dangerous, career criminals and would not apply to low-level offenders. Specifically, the Armed Career Criminal Act would still apply only in a case where a felon who possesses a firearm --in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) --has previously been convicted three times of serious felonies, which must have been committed on different occasions.

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