New US legislation cracks down on gangs

The US House of Representatives yesterday passed tough legislation that imposes a 10-year minimum sentence on people convicted of gang violence, expands the reach of the death penalty and adds years of extra jail time for gang members who are illegal immigrants.

The Gang Deterrence and Community Protection Act of 2005, popularly known as the Gangbusters Bill, passed easily by 279 to 144 in the Republican-led House.

The Justice Department estimates there are more than 25,000 gangs in the US with 750,000 members.