Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, August 23, 1999

NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 23, 1999 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 CONTACT: Paul Schurick/ Steve Kreseski (410) 337-7222 CONGRESSMAN EHRLICH HOSTS U.S. ATTORNEY- STATES ATTORNEYS. POT JCE. TO CALI, FOR ENFORCEMENT FEDERAL GUN LAWS Ehrlich Cites new “Project Exile” as Mode i for Region WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today hosted a meeting with approximately 40 Maryland law enforcement representatives to call for tougher enforcement and prosecution of existing gun laws. Ehrlich discussed implementation of a successful program currently in place in Richmond, Virginia, with U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Ms. Lynn Battaglia, as well as State’s Attorneys, police chiefs, and officers from all across the state. Congressman Ehrlich cited, “Maryland has some of the strongest gun laws in the country. Unfortunately, enforcement of those laws is not uniform throughout the local subdivisions.” He commended U.S. Attorney Battaglia for initiating Operation Disarm in the Baltimore area, which has resulted in the arrest and conviction of dangerous violent felons caught in possession of firearms. This success, however, is overshadowed by the fact that only a small number of cases in Baltimore City and the surrounding areas is actually forwarded for prosecution. Ehrlich elaborated, “I strongly believe if laws are to be respected, punishment for violations must be adequate and certain. While Operation Disarm provides adequate punishment, the element of automatic prosecution is missing. Many criminals know they will not be prosecuted for breaking federal gun laws” A similar program, called “Project Exile,” is supported by the U. S. Attorney’s office in Richmond, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and a host of other federal, state and local law enforcement authorities in Virginia. Project Exile combats gun violence by prosecuting virtually every gun crime in Richmond. Since its inception in Richmond, the city’s high murder rate has plummeted; from November 1997 to January 1999, the murder rate decreased 40%. Further, of the individuals indicted on federal gun violations, 74% have been held without bail and kept off the streets pending trial. In the program’s first year, 53% were sentenced to an average of 55 months