Death of 5-year-old has lawmakers looking to pass new bill
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) -- In the wake of 5-year-old Allison Griffor's death, Rep. Chip Limehouse and Rep. Wendell G. Gilliard are working on a new bill that would strengthen penalties for those who discharge firearms into or at homes.
"In essence, treat homes as if they were people because when you shoot into a home and you murder anyone, that is a very, very heinous crime. We need to have our state laws reflect that," said Limehouse.
Allison Griffor died at MUSC on October 28 from injuries she received when someone fired a gun through the door of her home. The incident has been the topic of much discussion, as investigators with multiple law enforcement agencies continue to look for leads that may lead to the person or persons responsible for her death.
"The entire community is hurting over Allison's death," said Limehouse. "The death of a child is the worst thing that can happen to a family."
According to Limehouse, a spokesperson for the Griffor family suggested the newly proposed law be named in honor of Allison.
"We want the strictest penalties we can apply. If there is a death of a person, then certainly the death penalty ought to be implied."
Limehouse said on Wednesday the new bill has already been filed and is a combination and revision of drive-by shooting and home invasion bills previously introduced by Rep. Gilliard.
"I don't believe the penalties for firing into a house are the same as murder in the first degree. You can't say it was an accident. It was not an accident. That's what we're working through right now."
The two lawmakers hope the bill would make it so that anyone found guilty of shooting into a home could be held to the same group of charges as anyone who has shot at a person.
State lawmakers will take up Allison's Law in January.
"In essence, treat homes as if they were people because when you shoot into a home and you murder anyone, that is a very, very heinous crime. We need to have our state laws reflect that," said Limehouse.
Allison Griffor died at MUSC on October 28 from injuries she received when someone fired a gun through the door of her home. The incident has been the topic of much discussion, as investigators with multiple law enforcement agencies continue to look for leads that may lead to the person or persons responsible for her death.
"The entire community is hurting over Allison's death," said Limehouse. "The death of a child is the worst thing that can happen to a family."
According to Limehouse, a spokesperson for the Griffor family suggested the newly proposed law be named in honor of Allison.
"We want the strictest penalties we can apply. If there is a death of a person, then certainly the death penalty ought to be implied."
Limehouse said on Wednesday the new bill has already been filed and is a combination and revision of drive-by shooting and home invasion bills previously introduced by Rep. Gilliard.
"I don't believe the penalties for firing into a house are the same as murder in the first degree. You can't say it was an accident. It was not an accident. That's what we're working through right now."
The two lawmakers hope the bill would make it so that anyone found guilty of shooting into a home could be held to the same group of charges as anyone who has shot at a person.
State lawmakers will take up Allison's Law in January.
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