PD calls for mandatory prison sentences when weapons are used to commit offences

The Partit Demokratiku has taken note of the spate of violent assaults during this past week, which in some instances even resulted in death.  "It is high time that there be mandatory jail sentences when any type of weapon is used to commit offenses."

"Recently, a man was fined €700 for the unlicensed possession and discharge of a firearm during a domestic violence incident inside a residence.  It seems that his domestic partner withdrew her complaint and the court was only able to consider the charges related to the firearm that was used during the commission of the offense.  Fortunately, nobody was injured by the firearm although this could have had a more serious consequence on the victim of the domestic violence. The law also provides for prison sentences for such offenses. Does somebody have to be killed before more dissuasive measures are applied?"

"When will our society learn that you cannot get away with threatening people with firearms - or indeed any type of weapon? Unless people are aware that there is zero tolerance from the courts for acts of violence against others, some people are not going to think twice before acting violently if they do not get their way. It is certainly not an honour to be one of the worst countries in Europe as regards domestic violence."

Partit Demokratiku believes that the agencies that work with victims of domestic violence should be given more help to be able to do more effective outreach in schools to empower potential victims so that their number decreases in the future.

 

 

from The Malta Independent https://ift.tt/2AH5LOE
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