The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PETITION OF:
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PETITION OF:
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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.
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An Act Relative to Increasing the Penalties for Breaking and Entering Dwellings During the Daytime with Intent to Commit a Felony. |
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 17 of Chapter 266 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2000 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out same and inserting in place thereof the following:
(a)Whoever, in the night time, enters without breaking, or breaks and enters in the day time, a building, ship, vessel, or vehicle, with intent to commit a felony, the owner or any other person lawfully therein being put in fear, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than ten years.
(b)Whoever, in the day time, breaks and enters a dwelling with intent to commit a felony, the owner or any other person lawfully therein being put in fear, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for life or any term of years, provided that any sentence imposed under the provisions of this paragraph shall be subject to the minimum requirements of paragraph (c).
(c)Whoever commits any offense described in paragraph (a) while armed with a firearm, rifle, shotgun, machine gun or assault weapon shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not less than five years or in the house of correction for not more than two and one-half years. Whoever commits an offense described in paragraph (b) while armed with a firearm, rifle, shotgun, machine gun or assault weapon shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not less than five years.
Section 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.