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Abstract
This study focuses on sentencing outcomes pursuant to the Michigan Firearms Statute that came into force in 1977 and the Michigan Sentencing Guidelines that were enacted in 1988. The sample included drug law violations and personal offenses committed with a firearm with a particular focus on offender characteristics such as age, race (Blacks, Whites and Mexican-Americans) and gender as well as other socio-legal variables. Multivariate analysis of the demographic variables (age, gender and race) revealed that age significantly impacted sentence length for offenders convicted of carjacking and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. When gender was examined, these data did not suggest that gender of the convicted offender had a significant impact on sentence length. Multivariate analysis revealed that Blacks received significantly shorter sentences for second degree murder, armed robbery and assault with intent to commit murder. Mexican-Americans, on the other hand, received longer sentences when total crimes (a compilation of all crimes committed under the Michigan Firearms Statute) and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder were viewed.