Credit unions seek tougher punishment for those who rob without showing a gun

The New York Credit Union Association (NYCUA) is supporting legislation that would step up punishment for certain types of bank robbers. “Presently, there is a dramatically lower penalty imposed on bank robbers who claim to have a weapon but do not physically display one, even though these crimes traumatize both credit union employees and members alike,” said Michael Lieberman, NYCUA VP of governmental affairs

The legislation would increase the penalty for demand-note robberies from a Class D to a Class C felony. That would increase the maximum sentence from seven to 15 years.

Lieberman says the change is necessary because, “these types of robberies are on the rise throughout the state and across the country.”

Citing FBI statistics, he said that in 2016 there were 2,361 cases in which a weapon was threatened or implied, but not actually displayed. By contrast, there were 1,027 cases involving an actual firearm or other weapon.

“So it’s clear the majority of robberies of financial institutions are now done by oral or written demand, and the shockingly high number of incidents exemplifies how criminals are increasingly willing to engage in this conduct without regard for the consequences, because the penalties are so weak that there is little downside to getting caught,” Lieberman said. 

The New York Credit Union Association (NYCUA) is supporting legislation that would step up punishment for certain types of bank robbers. “Presently, there is a dramatically lower penalty imposed on bank robbers who claim to have a weapon but do not physically display one, even though these crimes traumatize both credit union employees and members alike,” said Michael Lieberman, NYCUA VP of governmental affairs

The legislation would increase the penalty for demand-note robberies from a Class D to a Class C felony. That would increase the maximum sentence from seven to 15 years.

Lieberman says the change is necessary because, “these types of robberies are on the rise throughout the state and across the country.”

Citing FBI statistics, he said that in 2016 there were 2,361 cases in which a weapon was threatened or implied, but not actually displayed. By contrast, there were 1,027 cases involving an actual firearm or other weapon.

“So it’s clear the majority of robberies of financial institutions are now done by oral or written demand, and the shockingly high number of incidents exemplifies how criminals are increasingly willing to engage in this conduct without regard for the consequences, because the penalties are so weak that there is little downside to getting caught,” Lieberman said.