By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill imposing up to a 5-year prison sentence and/or $10,000 fine on anyone who discharges an assault weapon, firearm, large capacity weapon, machine gun, rifle, sawed-off shotgun or shotgun into a dwelling.

Supporters said there have been hundreds of these incidents in Boston since 2013. They pointed to many examples of bullets almost killing innocent victims including the September 2014 incident in which a little girl was almost hit by a bullet while sleeping in her room. They argued the penalties should reflect the serious nature of these crimes.