Baltimore Chief Wants Mandatory Jail Time for Suspects Carrying Illegal Guns

Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis wants the General Assembly to pass legislation requiring that people who are caught with a loaded handgun be locked up for at least a year.

As Baltimore battles a deadly surge in gun violence, Davis and two lawmakers from the city are pushing a bill to dramatically enhance the penalty, statewide, for carrying a loaded, illegal gun.

"If we're going to win this conflict, there has to be a consequence to someone making a decision to arm himself with an illegal firearm," Davis told the Baltimore Sun . "Right now, that consequence is nonexistent."

The legislation would convert the current sentence of up to 30 days to a mandatory year or more in jail. A second offense would be a felony that would require at least five years behind bars. The bill would strip from judges the discretion to reduce those sentences.