Mayor Touts Sentencing Increases for Gun Crimes

The average sentencing for gun crimes increased during 2011 in Baltimore’s state courts, according to the city’s GunStat initiative.

The average sentence for illegally carrying, wearing or transporting a firearm increased to 13 months, a four-month increase from the past several years, according to a news release.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s office also touted an increase in the average sentence for those who committed felony gun crimes. The average sentence increased to 63 months compared to 32 months in 2009. 

"Non-fatal shootings are down 16 percent from last year at this time and fighting gun violence continues to be our top priority. These results are a product of a smart enforcement strategy focused on violent offenders and illegal guns, strong partnerships with communities and state and federal criminal justice agencies, and strategic legislative advocacy," Mayor Rawlings-Blake said in a news release.

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