A gang criminal caught with a firearm faces eight years in prison today. Yesterday it was four. The doubled sentences will also apply to minors.
However, there is a cap of 18 years on how long a doubled sentence can be. The government has also proposed sentence reductions for young people.
The amendments also include tougher penalties in around 50 sentencing categories, including for violent and sexual offences. Repeat aggravated rapes will also be punishable by life imprisonment.
"Hurry up"
The government has repeatedly said the changes represent the biggest penal reform since the Penal Code was introduced in 1965.
Dangerous criminals should be locked up, so that well-behaved people can feel safe in their homes and dare to be outside, said Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (M) when the proposals were launched this spring.
The proposals have received harsh criticism from several quarters - including from the Law Council, which has condemned the reforms as "hasty", poorly prepared and as failing to take into account the criticism from consultation bodies.
"No conditions to become new law," is the council's overall assessment.
More suggestions
Denmark has had double sentences for gang criminals for several years and the government has used its neighbouring country as a model. At the same time, researchers point to several studies that show the longer sentences are ineffective or even counterproductive.
"For me it's hard to understand. There is solid evidence of what works and what doesn't work to reduce crime. Yet they insist on using Swedish tax money for something that is not effective," criminologist David Sausdal told TT this spring.
In parallel, the government has moved forward with several proposals in the area of criminal law - including abolishing today's so-called quantity discount when someone is convicted of multiple crimes.
The government's bill, which comes into force on August 1:
Double punishment for gang criminals. Fifty or so sentencing categories are being tightened. Repeat aggravated rapes should be punishable by life imprisonment.
The government's other proposals, with unclear timetable:
Prison should no longer be seen as a last resort.
Conditional sentences and probation are being phased out and replaced with "conditional imprisonment". (A harsher penalty. Clearer consequences if a crime is committed during the probation period).
The quantity discount is abolished.
The entire penalty scale should be used. (Today, the upper part is rarely used according to the government).
Source: Government
