U.S. Attorney: gun enforcement improves safety on The Murfreesboro Post

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U.S. Attorney: gun enforcement improves safety

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Posted: Thursday, January 28, 2010 3:10 pm

Local, state and federal officials announced today the results of law enforcement efforts to combat gun violence in Nashville through the district’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative.

Joining U.S. Attorney Ed Yarbrough at a morning news conference at the Metro Nashville Police East Precinct, Chief Ronal Serpas, District Attorney Torry Johnson and ATF Special Agent in Charge James Cavanaugh outlined some statistics resulting from the collaborative effort to identify, investigate, and prosecute dangerous felons carrying firearms in the Middle District of Tennessee.

“We continue to have a strong partnership with the Metro Nashville Police Department, ATF and the District Attorney’s Office to combat gun violence, “ said U.S. Attorney Yarbrough. “Our strong partnership at all levels of law enforcement has resulted in solid cases for prosecution and has netted substantial sentences at the federal level. We continue to build upon those efforts and this partnership will continue to make PSN a success in Nashville and the surrounding area. Project Safe Neighborhoods will continue to be a priority of the United States Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Tennessee.”

“These combined efforts of our offices provide a valuable tool in getting serious felons off the street. It sends the message that these dangerous crimes will not be tolerated in our community,” stated District Attorney Torry Johnson.

Through the efforts of ATF agents and Metro Nashville police officers, dangerous felons are being removed from the streets for substantial periods of time. In Nashville, approximately 190 defendants with firearms and related violations have been charged federally since 2008 and currently, numerous other cases are being investigated in conjunction with the ATF, the Metro Police Department, and the District Attorney’s Office.

In 2009, the average sentence received for defendants prosecuted through the PSN initiative was approximately seven years. There is no parole in the federal system.

“This initiative is critical to the safety of Nashville’s families because, once convicted, these gun-toting thugs head to a federal prison far away from Nashville and are not subject to the early releases and revolving door of the state system,” Chief Ronal Serpas said. “The message should be very clear. This police department is very committed to working with our federal partners and District Attorney Torry Johnson to ensure that those who illegally carry guns in our city are convicted and taken out of our neighborhoods for a very long time.”

"Our PSN focus is simple. ATF and its law enforcement partners investigate and prosecute the worst of the worst offenders who choose to violate the law. Removing repeat and violent armed offenders from the streets of our communities is the main objective. Be warned, the PSN focus is a fast track to federal prison as demonstrated in the cases highlighted today," stated Cavanaugh.

The number of indictments returned on firearm cases in federal court more than doubled in 2009 thanks to the joint efforts of local police, ATF, the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorneys Office.

Tagged under firearms, U.S. Attorney

Member Opinions:

By: canalou on 1/28/10
While we're at it, let us keep guns out of bars...common sense thang, bang-bang....!!

By: shotgun on 1/29/10
let's just do away with bars......

By: abide on 1/29/10
We should also ban liberals....

By: Boo on 1/29/10
And get rid of alchohol while we're getting rid of tobacco!

By: springs on 1/30/10
Is there a difference between "gun" violence and "knife" or "crowbar" violence?

By: canalou on 2/1/10
Dexter, Mo., felony assault began at bar scene, where gun was taken, after several drinks, one man shot another in the back, in critical condition...happened during this past weekend...yep, guns in bars is real smart...just ask the victim?!!