News from The Senate Majority

Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
716 West 4th Avenue, Suite 510
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Phone: 907/258-8184
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

Donley's Bill Increasing the Penalty for Shooting at Dwellings Becomes Law

For Immediate Release: July 1, 1997 Contact: Senator Dave Donley at 907/258-8181

Anchorage -- Earlier this month, legislation increasing the penalty for the unlawful discharge of firearms at dwellings was signed into law. Senate Bill 70, sponsored by Senator Dave Donley (R-Anchorage), increases the penalty for shooting at Alaska homes, classifying the crime as a felony rather than a misdemeanor.

"We often hear that the penalty should fit the crime.....well that will now be the case when reckless individuals shoot at a person's home," said Senator Donley. "Before the passage of this legislation, prosecutors were only able to charge these offenders with a misdemeanor," explained Senator Donley. "

"Alaskans have seen a dramatic rise in instances where dwellings have been fired upon and I sponsored Senate Bill 70 to help end this reckless and dangerous behavior," added Donley.

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