Federal Initiative Targets Gang Crime, AK-47s

MIAMI -- An alarming increase in South Florida murders driven by street gangs armed with assault weapons is the focus of a new task force.

The task force of federal, state and local law enforcement officials will use tough federal laws to put violent criminals behind bars longer.

Murders in 2006 were up 40 percent in Miami-Dade County, 50 percent in Broward County and 26 percent in Palm Beach County compared with the year before. Shootouts, drive-by shootings and violent robberies by gangs are seen as key factors in the rise.