Bill on Children Involved in Crime Adopted by Parliamentary Commission

The Turkish Parliamentary Justice Commission has adopted a bill concerning children involved in crime.The bill introduces a new article to the Law on Firearms and Knives, and Other Tools. According to this, if a child gains access to a firearm due to its improper storage, the person responsible will face a prison sentence of between 1 and 3 years if the act does not constitute a more serious crime.[IMAGE_1]An amendment to the Turkish Penal Code states that if a child between the ages of 12 and 15 is deemed incapable of understanding the legal consequences of their actions or directing their behavior, they will not be held criminally responsible, but will instead be subject to measures for the protection of children.[QUOTE_1]If the child is deemed capable of understanding the legal consequences and directing their behavior, they will face a prison sentence of between 13 and 18 years if the crime would normally warrant an aggravated life sentence, or between 10 and 12 years if the crime would normally warrant a life sentence.[IMAGE_2][QUOTE_2] says: 'It is everyone's shared responsibility to protect our children from all forms of neglect, abuse, and risk, and to prepare them for the future. The proposal will be submitted to the Turkish Parliament for consideration in the coming days.'