MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Ketchings

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT CRIMES COMMITTED WHERE A FIREARM IS DISCHARGED SHALL BE PUNISHABLE BY DEATH; TO PROVIDE THAT IT SHALL NOT BE NECESSARY THAT THE DEATH OF ANOTHER PERSON OCCUR IN ORDER TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE OF DEATH UNDER THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.  

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) Any person who shall commit a criminal act in violation of the criminal laws of this state and who discharges a firearm during the commission of such criminal act shall be guilty of a capital offense and upon conviction shall be punished by death.

(2) In imposing the death penalty as provided in subsection (1) of this section, it shall not be necessary that the crime committed by the offender result in the death of another person.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.