The Deterrent Effects of the Florida Felony Firearm Law

Any person who is convicted of any murder, sexual battery, robbery, burglary, arson, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, kidnapping, escape, breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony, or aircraft piracy, or any attempt to commit the aforementioned crimes, and who had in his possession a "firearm," as defined in subsection 790.001(6), or "destructive device," as defined in subsection 790.001(4), shall be sentenced to a minimum term of imprisonment of 3 years.Notwithstanding the provisions of § 948.01, adjudication of guilt or imposition of sentence shall not be suspended, deferred, or withheld, nor shall the defendant be eligible for parole, prior to serving such minimum sentence.7 Harrison, 14-Month-Old '3-To-Life'Law Held Successful, Orlando Sentinel Star, Dec. 12, 1976, at A18, col. 1.To make sure that the threat got across, they organized a massive publicity campaign supported by a grant from the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration and orchestrated by a professional public relations firm.The campaign included radio and television spots, 200 billboards, press releases, public speaking engagements, and posters placed on the doors of high-risk establishments.See Ku, supra note 5; Dillin, Mandato.7JailforGun Toters: How Eective?, Christian Science Monitor, Jan. 2, 1976, at 1, col. 1.Senator James Glisson, author of the statute, felt strongly that the publicity campaign was the key to the success of the law.He argued that the best way to make the law effective would be "to get the word to people inclined to do this kind of thing, that if they use a gun when they break the law, punishment will be swift and certain . . .and they mustn't have any doubts about it."Harrison, supra note 7, at A18, col. 1