Earlier this year, Assembly Member Alex Lee (D-San Jose) introduced AB 1509, named the Anti-Racism Sentencing Reform Act.
How Do Sentencing Enhancements Work?
A sentencing enhancement is an increase in the maximum allowable punishment that is based on a certain fact. In the case of gun-sentencing enhancements, a person convicted of certain crimes will face a significantly longer sentence because they carried a gun when they committed the offense.
How Would AB 1509 Change Gun-Sentencing Enhancements?
If AB 1509 passes, it would reduce—not eliminate—the sentencing enhancements for those convicted of certain crimes while carrying or using a gun. Under the current framework, the sentencing enhancements are as follows: