Roby, Collins take action following High Court’s ruling on violent crimes

U.S. Reps. Martha Roby (R-AL) and Doug Collins (R-GA) last week introduced a bill that aims to fully prosecute violent criminals following a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The High Court on June 24 struck down a portion of the U.S. criminal code related to crimes committed with firearms and ruled that the existing statute was unconstitutionally vague. In his opinion, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch said Congress could update and clarify the language.

Rep. Roby on June 27 sponsored the Combat Violent Crime Act, H.R. 3533, with cosponsor Rep. Collins to amend U.S. Code to clarify the definition of a violent crime, according to the congressional record.

“Our nation’s highest court made it crystal clear that Congress should act on this and that is exactly what we are doing with H.R. 3533,” Rep. Roby said.

“I am pleased to partner with Representative Roby on legislation to improve the law so that we keep Americans safe and deal justly with violent criminals,” said Rep. Collins, ranking member of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. 

Current U.S. Code defines the term “crime of violence” as a felony offense that includes the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person or property of another, or “that by its nature, involves a substantial risk that physical force against the person or property of another may be used in the course of committing the offense.”

H.R. 3533 would strike “by its nature, involves” and insert “based on the facts underlying the offense, involved…” and also would strike “may be used” and insert “may have been used,” according to information from Rep. Roby’s office.

Rep. Roby said these changes would give law enforcement the authority they needed to combat violent crime in communities across the nation.

“I introduced this legislation last Congress, but it is even more timely today due to the Supreme Court’s action … to strike down part of a statute to more effectively prosecute dangerous criminals,” Rep. Roby said.