Program Aimed At Reducing Gun Crime

Federal and state prosecutors are working together to put gun violators behind bars for longer. The co-operative effort comes as state prisons continue to cope with crowding, with little relief in sight. U-S Attorney Bud Cummins said Friday at Little Rock that the initiative is aimed at reducing gun crime. The effort is called Project Safe Neighborhood and is part of a national campaign. A similar program was established last year in Jefferson County. Under the program, prosecutors examine gun violence cases to determine whether to try them in state or federal court. Cummins said that, with a shortage of prison beds in Arkansas, there`s no guarantee a gun violator will go to prison for a long time. But he pointed out that the federal prison system doesn`t have parole. According to Cummins, violators will be taken out of the community, and they won`t be coming back in six months.