The Ramos and Compean Justice Act of 2009
On February 3, Congressman Ted Poe (R-Texas) introduced H.R. 834, the Ramos and Compean Justice Act of 2009. The bill would amend 18 USC §924(c) to exempt law enforcement officers from the mandatory minimum sentences of five, seven and 10 years for possession or use of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence – if using a firearm authorized to be carried for the performance of their job and used in relation to the performance of their job and is a crime of violence.
The bill is a response to the convictions of two Border Patrol agents, Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos, convicted of shooting an unarmed, fleeing man, later identified as an undocumented immigrant and drug smuggler. George W. Bush granted clemency to the two former Border Patrol agents in January 2009 after they received 10-year mandatory minimums under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) for discharging a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence.
The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. FAMM supports this legislation.
- Click here to read the bill summary, see cosponsors and get other information on this bill.