William Helms: “a drug trafficker who in 1992 was convicted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina was…”

“a drug trafficker who in 1992 was convicted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina was released from prison 2 days ago, Monday, March 11, as the tragic result of an unfortunate and unwise Supreme Court decision. Although the drug trafficker had 5 more years to serve, the U.S. Supreme Court, using the flimsiest of reasoning, set this convicted drug trafficker free. So, Mr. President, the bill I am introducing today will prevent future criminals from being set free. I am advised that my bill is being numbered S. 1612. Mr. President, S. 1612 provides that a 10-year minimum mandatory sentence shall be imposed upon any criminal possessing a gun during and in relation to the commission of a violent or drug trafficking crime. This, of course, does not apply to lawful possession of a gun. This bill will obviously crack down on gun-toting thugs who commit violent felonies and drug trafficking offenses and other felonies. Moreover, it will ensure that criminals possessing a firearm while committing a violent or drug trafficking felony shall receive a stiff punishment. This is just common sense, Mr. President; violent felons who possess firearms are more dangerous than those who do not.”