© 2026
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
🎧 We've wrapped up the on-air portion of WDIY's 2026 Spring Fund Drive — but there's still time to make a donation in support of your listening. Click here to give. 💚

Widely Criticized Mandatory Minimum Bill is ‘Off the Table’ After Backlash

Emma Lee
/
WHYY
Patricia Vickers, whose son was sentenced to life in prison when he was 17, speaks out against mandatory minimum sentences, such as those proposed by state Rep. Amen Brown.

Pennsylvania legislative leaders say a bill that would institute new mandatory minimum sentences for gun-related crime is “off the calendar.” WHYY’s Katie Meyer reports that comes at the request of its Democratic sponsor who has been inundated with criticism since introducing it.

(Original air-date: 7/15/21)

Katie Meyer is WHYY’s political reporter. She covers politics, policy, power, and elections at every level of government, with the goal of showing how it all affects people’s lives.