New DOJ efforts to counter violent crime

Gonzales outlines new DOJ efforts to counter violent crime, JURIST - Paper Chase, June 2, 2007.

The Department of Justice is setting up new violent crime task forces.

DOJ proposes new legislation, the Violent Crime and Anti-Terrorism Act of 2007. According to DOJ's press release (June 1), the law would:

• Double the penalty for transferring a firearm that will be used to commit a crime of violence or drug trafficking offense;
• increasethe maximum penalty under the general conspiracy statute;
• amend the "armed career criminal statute to create a tiered penalty approach for felons with prior drug trafficking or violent felony convictions;"
• lengthen the statute of limitations for violent crimes and terrorism-related crimes;
• "create a new statutory prohibition against crimes of violence by illegal aliens;"
• establish new, graduated sanctions for firearms violations;
• "restore the binding nature" of the sentencing guidelines -- undoing United States v. Booker, which held that they were advisory -- by making the lower end of the range a minimum sentence that must be imposed;
• provide rights of appeal for both the defendant andthe prosecution from sentencing decisions;
• establish a minimum sentence of two years for possessing child pornography;

The press release has a couple of bullet points that seem vague to me:

• Amend terrorism-related authorities to close gaps in the law; and
• Provide additional resources and strengthen existing tools for law enforcement to combat terrorism.

What gaps? Close them how? What tools? Strengthen them how? I guess we'll have to wait for someone in Congress to introduce the Administration's proposed bill.