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AFA Activism
 Support John Ashcroft's Nomination
Law Enforcement Record of Attorney General Designate Senator John Ashcroft
Results of Ashcroft’s reforms as Governor
January 9, 2001
Senator Ashcroft has a strong record on crime. As Senator and Governor, he helped enact tougher standards and sentencing for gun crimes, increased funding for local law enforcement, tougher standards and punishment for people who bring guns into schools, worked to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, protected innocent victims, and led the fight against drugs, particularly Meth.
Results of Ashcroft’s reforms as Governor:
The number of full-time law enforcement officers in Missouri increased by 63.1% from 1985-1992. Ashcroft put 3,825 more full time officers on the streets.
Capacity at Missouri corrections facilities increased by 72% from 9,071 in 1985 to 15,630 in 1993.
Missouri was above average in the length of time criminals had to serve for all sentences according to “Gail Hughes, deputy director for the state Corrections Department, citing the 1991 yearbook published by the Criminal Justice Institute. The national average for time served for all crimes was 23.7 months, while in Missouri the average length of a sentence was 28.9 months.”
According to the Dept. of Justice, length of prison time served in Missouri in 1993 was 73% but grew to 86% in 1997.
The number of juveniles who were arrested for committing a crime increased by 16.3% from 1985-1992.
Ashcroft fought for minorities’ rights:
As Governor, Ashcroft enacted the first hate crimes legislation in Missouri creating penalties for ethnic intimidation and crimes committed for motives based on race, color, religion, or national origin. It also creates penalties for institutional vandalism for damages to ethnically-related buildings and property.
As Senator, he convened the first and only Senate hearing on Racial Profiling (March 30, 2000) with Senator Feingold (D-WI) where he stated on the record that racial profiling is unconstitutional and indicating support of the statistics legislation with minor changes.
Ashcroft fought for Victims rights:
As Governor, Ashcroft won enactment of the Missouri Victim's Bill of Rights, allowing crime victims to be informed of and present at criminal proceedings, the right to restitution, the right to protection from the defendant and the right to be informed of the escape or release of a defendant.
As Senator, Ashcroft voted to prohibit those convicted of felony or misdemeanor domestic violence from owning a firearm.
Helped to enact legislation increasing penalties for those who purposefully defraud seniors with telemarketing scams.
Helped to secure $100 million in increased funding to combat violence against women.
Secured initial funding of $800,000 for national Victims Rights Hotline in 1999.
As MO Attorney General, Ashcroft enforced the Missouri Brady Bill that was enacted in 1981.
Results of Ashcroft’s reforms as Senator:
Helped to enact tougher standards and sentencing for gun crimes including enacting a law to toughen penalties for gun crimes by substantially increasing mandatory minimum prison sentences for the criminal misuse of guns.
Provided funds for local law enforcement including funding for zero tolerance in St. Louis that that requires an automatic prison term of 5 years for violent or drug crimes committed with a firearm; $2.84 billion in COPS funding for 1998 and 1999, including funding for 50,000 new police officers.
Fought for and helped enact tougher standards for people who bring guns into schools by helping enact a law prohibiting possession of a firearm in a school zone and authoring Senate-passed legislation strengthening the penalties for any juvenile weapons violations near a school.
Worked to keep guns out of the hands of criminals by voting for mandatory instant background checks for all gun sales at gun shows and mandatory instant background checks for gun purchases from non-licensed gun dealers at gun shows.
Led the fight against Meth by winning enactment of the Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 1996 that increased mandatory minimum meth penalties and made them equal to the penalties for crack cocaine.
Senator Ashcroft earned the endorsement of leading law enforcement organizations.
Senator Ashcroft was endorsed by the Missouri Federation of Police Chiefs and the St. Louis Police Officers Association during his 2000 campaign.
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