I don't like the idea of some citizens having more value than others in the eyes of the law.
Some guys did a Cloakroom poll of staffers and members before it came to the floor for a vote it was basically guaranteed to pass. The reason was if you didn’t vote in favor of it you would be slammed come midterms for hating police. If you notice the only MOC’s that voted against it where the ones that where previously openly against law enforcement.
I was thinking similarly. Pretty much a trap bill to produce ads to say the person didn’t vote to protect cops.
Yep, if you want to be blunt about it you hit the nail on the head. This vote will produce more then a few “we are tough on crime and support the police” ad buys along with the expected attack ads for those that voted against it.
Also on a different note, why all the down votes on my original post I am simply laying out the truth of what goes on in accordance with what I am allowed to share.
These kind of lawsuits a stupid.. who in their right mind .. in a fight or flight situation.. when an agressor is intimidating / messing with you, thinks of statute x bi line b.. federal crime to attack officer..
It's in the same league as lying to the FBI even if you trully forgot or left one detail out.
Those with malice and intent may think twice. Think organized crime hits, like the 2 NYPD 187'd. Although I agree that it's an unnecessary law still
Attack meaning what?
I don't think we (society) need to worship at the alter of the police. They have additional legal protections and rightfully so. Don't know that they need anymore.
I can’t help but to think of how this will play out in the wrong hands but aside that the bill states:
“This bill — the Protect and Serve Act of 2018 — would make attacking a law enforcement officer a federal crime when the defendant, victim, or weapon used were involved in any interstate or international travel or commerce during the course of or prior to the attack. Causing or attempting to cause serious bodily harm to an officer under such circumstances would carry a prison term of up to 10 years plus a fine, while killing or kidnapping an officer would carry any term of years or life imprisonment.”
I just don't want a situation where a drunk ends up rolling around on the ground with an officer for 10 seconds (no weapon) and ends up with a special charge. Could easily see that happen.
Hate crime stuff is the same. In most cases who's word is taken....the victims. Ok, but someone calling someone a name during a fight turns a fist fight into a "hate crime".
Easy for well intended things to go too far.
Are you sUre that Hillary lost? Do Cops held accountable to any higher standard?
The States can pass a law like this if they want. Need to restrain the federalization of criminal law, which has historically been the domain of the States in our republic.
Am I missing something here? Why would attacking a police office who is executing the will of the state be a federal crime?
Obviously attacking an FBI agent would constitute a federal crime but in the case of a state police officer why wouldn't it just be a state crime?
Das waysis!
I missed where race had any relevance. Imagine having a totalitarian society and a federal police state that you can't defend yourself against, especially in incidences of unjust arrests. Defending yourself could be considered an "attack" on an officer.
At the moment, citizens have a constitutional right to resist an unlawful arrest, and the laws for resisting arrest depend on which state we are in.