H.R. 4334: Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act

This bill, titled the Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act, aims to amend existing laws regarding the sentencing of individuals classified as armed career criminals under federal law. Below is a summary of the key provisions of the bill:

Key Provisions

• Amendments to Sentencing Guidelines: The bill proposes changes to Section 924 of Title 18, United States Code. It modifies the parameters for what constitutes a qualifying offense for armed career criminals. Specifically, it updates the offenses listed under subsection (a)(2) to include certain provisions from subsection (g) of Section 922.
• Increased Sentencing for Recidivism: Under the new amendments, if an individual knowingly violates section 922(g) and has three or more previous serious felony convictions, they will face a mandatory prison sentence—ranging from 15 to 30 years. This eradicates the possibility for suspension or probation for the convicted individual regarding the offense under this section.
• Definition of Serious Felony Convictions: The bill clarifies that a serious felony conviction refers to either a single felony offense punishable by a maximum term of at least 10 years or multiple convictions leading to a cumulative sentencing of 10 years or more, regardless of how much time was actually served in custody.

Applicability of the Bill

• Effective Date: The provisions of the bill will apply to offenses committed after the date of its enactment.
• Eligibility: The new sentencing guidelines will specifically target individuals who have committed offenses while being classified as having three or more serious felony convictions at the time of the offense.
• No Right to Appeal Sentences: The bill explicitly states that it does not grant individuals the right to challenge the sentences that are imposed under the amended section.

Overall Impact

The proposed changes in this legislation are designed to impose stricter penalties on individuals with multiple serious felony convictions who are subsequently charged with violating federal gun laws. The bill aims to address concerns surrounding repeat offenders and their access to firearms.

Relevant Companies

None found.