Bill > H2183

This bill creates new, separate criminal offenses for assault and battery committed with a firearm, as well as for attempting to commit such an assault and battery. Specifically, it establishes Section 15C, which punishes anyone who assaults and batters another person by discharging a firearm, large capacity weapon (defined as a firearm with the capacity to accept more than ten rounds of ammunition), rifle, shotgun, sawed-off shotgun, or machine gun, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in state prison, up to a life sentence, with no possibility of probation, parole, or early release until that 10-year minimum is served, except for very limited temporary releases for specific emergencies. It also establishes Section 15D, which punishes attempts to commit assault and battery by discharging these types of weapons, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years in state prison, up to 20 years, also with restrictions on early release until the 7-year minimum is served, again with limited exceptions for emergencies. These new offenses are being added to Chapter 265 of the General Laws, which deals with crimes against persons.