PN> "Senate Overwhelmingly Clears Sex-Offender Database Plan" says the
PN> bill just passed by the Senate contains a provision that would
PN> prohibit those convicted of domestic violence from owning or
PN> possessing firearms.
PN> A little searching on Thomas turned up HR2980 as the bill in question
PN> and Amendment number 5083 as being offered by Sen. Frank Lautenberg
    The whole proposal has bizarre unintended consequences.
    Courts are flooded with such cases involving alleged unarmed assaults.  
Since the penalties are (now) so low as long as no injury requiring medical 
care results and no weapon is involved, the vast majority of defendants just 
plead guilty.  But if the penalty is vastly increased, few defendants will 
plead guilty to such charges, and the courts will have a huge backlog of 
domestic-violence cases.
    Right now, few of those convicted in such cases appeal them.  But if this 
proposal is adopted, expect many defendants to appeal the case to a jury 
trial.
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