Another Chicago Tragedy Spurs Call To Get Tough On Repeat Gun Offenders
(CBS) – Mayor Rahm Emanuel was railing again Monday about the need for a crackdown on repeat gun offenders, like the two who allegedly killed mother of four Nykea Aldridge.
"Both of these brothers, these thugs, had prior convictions with a gun," the mayor said.
Darwin and Derren Sorrells were both paroled just last year following convictions for car theft and gun possession.
"I've been saying for months now: These repeat offenders are the ones driving the violence in Chicago," says Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson.
Both Johnson and mayor a crackdown bill sponsored by state Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, is a much-needed reform.
"My idea is to create a sentencing guideline for repeat offenders," he says.
Under current law, unlawful gun possession by a felon carries a sentence of 3 to 14 years.
With parole, a convict could serve as little a year and a half.
"The criminal justice system is undermining the public safety on our streets the way it's structured," Emanuel said.
Sen. Raoul's bill would mandate sentencing repeat offenders at a higher range -- say, 7 to 14 years. It would force repeat offenders to serve at least 3 years, with parole.
The NRA, which blocks most gun legislation, announced its support and said it would work with Raoul and Supt. Johnson.
"I'm fairly confident we would be able to pass something," Raoul said.
What's more, black legislators who opposed mandatory minimum sentences, saying they simply fill prisons with more black inmates, are poised to support the new approach as well.
Aldridge, 32, was killed Friday afternoon as she was pushing a baby stroller near Dulles Elementary School, at 63rd and South Calumet. Police say the mother of four -- Aldridge is a cousin of Bulls star Dwyane Wade -- was an innocent victim caught in a shooting.