Santo Domingo.- The Senate on Monday approved the bill thatsets penalties as high a five years in prison for illegal possession of weaponsand up to 40 years for those who cause death with the use of illegal guns tocommit theft.
Article 66 of the Law to Control and Regulate Firearms,Ammunition and Related Materials approved unanimously by the 22 senatorspresent, toughens penalties for crimes perpetrated with illegal firearms,explosives and related accessories and establishes the confiscation of theweapon and a fine as high as 50 minimum wages.
“Any person, who would take the life of another to commit arobbery with an illegal firearm, shall be punished with sentences ranging from30 to 40 years in prison,” the law says.
When a robbery with illegal weapon causes permanent injury,the penalty will be as high 30 years, and up to 20 years in prison if there’s nopermanent injury.
Moreover, kidnapping using an illegal weapon is punishable withup to 40 years in prison, whereas criminal association using illegal weaponswill be punishable with up to 30 years.
In addition, the law states that public officials whoprovide weapons to civilians will be punished with sentences of 10 to 20 yearsin prison, and allocate illegal weapons to civilians, regardless offormalities, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to five years prisonand cancellation of their duties.
The lower chamber had approved the initiative by deputy VictorBisonó of the opposition PRSC party, and now goes to president Danilo Medina who’sexpected to sign it into law.