Dear Senators Blackburn and Cotton,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our strong support for S. 2250, the “Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act.”
To enable prosecutors to keep dangerous individuals out of our communities, the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA) required a minimum 15-year sentence for felons caught with a firearm who had three or more violent felony convictions. However, in 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in Johnson v. United States that the ACCA’s definition of “violent felony” was too vague. The “Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act” seeks to rectify this by replacing the term “violent felony” and “serious drug offense” with the clearly defined category of “serious felony,” meaning any crime punishable by 10 or more years. This change seeks to eliminate ambiguity and ensure overall consistent and equitable application.
The legislation you have introduced would better equip Federal prosecutors to pursue criminals. Right now, this is especially critical considering the crime surges still reverberating throughout our Nation’s largest cities. Our communities deserve better.
On behalf of the more than 377,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, thank you both for your leadership on this legislation. If I can provide any additional information or support for this effort, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President