BERNALILLO COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – The Bernalillo County District Attorney is trying to tackle the growing problem of kids with guns. The DA’s Office said one of the biggest challenges they’re encountering is an outdated state code that lacks proper consequences.
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District Attorney Sam Bregman said the New Mexico Children’s Code was adopted more than three decades ago and isn’t equipped to tackle the crimes teens are committing today. Bregman said updating the code is about holding youth accountable.
“Everybody makes mistakes when they’re a kid but you inject a firearm into that mistake and the consequences are horrific,” said Bernalillo County District Attorney, Sam Bregman.
The District Attorney’s Office said they’re seeing a growing trend of teenagers committing crimes with guns throughout Bernalillo County. It’s a trend they said they want to put an end to by strengthening the state’s Children’s Code.
“If you commit a crime, you should have some consequence to it. Right now, we don’t have that and it’s too easy for us to just say, don’t’ do it again right now in our juvenile code instead of, this is what’s going to happen, don’t do it again or else we’re going to elevate the consequences,” said Bregman.
Bregman’s Office is proposing changes to the code including tougher penalties for juveniles charged with murder, sexual assault, and DWI Vehicular Homicide. Other proposals include transferring those charged with murder from the Youth Detention Facility to the Metropolitan Detention Center as soon as they turn eighteen.
“Half the d-home right now is filled with people charged with murder. 90 percent of the d-home are kids, juveniles, charged with a gun crime. That’s unacceptable,” said Bregman.
Bregman said since he entered office 18 months ago, 19 juveniles have been charged with first-degree murder. He added that in many cases, young people are getting those guns from the dark web, making it especially hard to clamp down on their access to guns.
Earlier this summer, Bregman went before state lawmakers, urging them to update the Children’s Code. While his ideas have come up against criticism from the Public Defender’s Office, who argued children should be treated differently than adults, Bregman is hopeful lawmakers will take up his proposals in January.
“And I know that not everybody agrees with my position, however, it is so important that we get a handle on this juvenile crime that I’m willing to work with anybody any time and go up and work with the legislature to get done what we need to get done,” said Bregman.
Bregman also mentioned there are ways besides new laws that are critical to reducing youth crime, including getting parents involved in what their kids are up to, both out in the world and on social media. The DA’s Office said they plan to present their completed proposals to the governor and lawmakers by mid-October.
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