Summer of Silence

The 7th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), and local law enforcement are teaming up for a bold, new initiative designed to reduce violent crime.

“Summer of Silence” is a three-month initiative designed to lower violent crime in Spartanburg County by incarcerating, convicting, and sentencing would-be violent offenders before they commit violent acts. The program kicked off today.

Local law enforcement, the Solicitor’s Office, federal law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will screen eligible cases to determine whether the offender is likely to receive more prison time in state or federal court and act accordingly.

Federal gun charges involve mandatory minimum prison sentences, an accelerated timeline to disposition and escalating penalties for repeat offenders. Federal law also prohibits several categories of people from possessing firearms or ammunition, including:

(1) convicted felons
(2) persons engaged in drug crimes
(3) persons engaged in crimes that affect interstate commerce
(4) persons using or addicted to controlled substances
(5) persons convicted of domestic violence
(6) persons subject to a restraining order
(7) fugitives from justice
(8) illegal aliens

Solicitor Trey Gowdy conceived the idea with hopes of preventing violent crimes before they occur.

“The 7th Judicial Circuit has a remarkably good record in prosecuting violent crime,” Gowdy said. “We are a state leader in the number of admissions to the Department of Corrections and lengthy prison sentences but the message isn’t getting heard by the people who need to hear it. Gun-related violence continues to plague the area.”

Handguns and long guns account for about 70 percent of the murders committed statewide each year. Firearms are used in about half of the armed robberies statewide and about 20 percent of all aggravated assaults, according to the State Law Enforcement Division.

“The best way to curb these disturbing numbers is to call law enforcement if you know of someone who is illegally carrying or storing weapons,” Spartanburg Public Safety Director Tony Fisher said. “Any gun we take off the streets today is one less weapon that could be used to hurt you in the future.”