The Senate Judiciary Committee approved major legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) earlier this week to enact tougher sentences for violent felons in possession of firearms. Law enforcement officials are in support of the bill following recent reports that convicted felons illegally in possession of firearms have increased from 13 to 17 percent over the past three years. Currently, possession of a firearm by a felon previously convicted for an offense involving the use or attempted use of force is punishable as a Class C felony, with sentences averaging 3.51 years.  The legislation would increase the offense to a Class B felony, almost doubling the average time spent in jail to 6.31 years.  Likewise, the legislation enhances penalties for possession of a firearm by a person with a prior felony drug conviction.  The proposal elevates the crime from a Class D to a Class C felony, adding 1.28 years to the current average sentence of 2.23 years. The bill also prohibits probation for possession of a firearm by a person with a prior felony conviction involving the use or attempted use of force. The penalties are more in line with sentences imposed at the federal level involving gun possession by convicted felons. The legislation now goes to the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee for consideration of the proposal’s fiscal impact.