Thin Blue Line Act: Sen. Sessions' bill goes after those who target cops (original) (raw)

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A new bill from Sen. Jeff Sessions would provide for harsher penalties for those who kill local law enforcement and first responders. (file photo)

Growing concerns over violence directed at law enforcement and first responders is the motivation behind a new bill introduced by Alabama's Sen. Jeff Sessions.

Sessions, along with Sen. Pat Toomney, R-Penn., introduced the Thin Blue Line Act yesterday. The bill would amend the federal criminal code to make the murder or attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, firefighter or other first responder an aggravating factor for juries considering the death penalty for a defendant.

"The alarming spike in violence directed against the men and women entrusted with ensuring the safety and order of our society must be stopped," Sessions said. "The Thin Blue Line Act will help protect our officers by bringing harsher penalties to criminals committing these vile acts and by extending the protections afforded to federal officers to our local police and first responders."

Under current law, if a federal law enforcement officer or prosecutor is killed, juries can consider that as an aggravating factor in favor of the death penalty. The Thin Blue Line act would extend that definition to local law enforcement officers, prosecutors and firemen.

"This legislation honors the message sent by law-abiding Americans that we cannot stand idly by as attacks are waged upon those who serve and protect our communities," Sessions said.

Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla., has introduced similar legislation in the House. The measures have received endorsements from a number of law enforcement groups, including the Fraternal Order of Police, National District Attorneys Association and the National Sheriffs' Association.

The bill comes following a string of high-profile killings of law enforcement officers and amid growing concerns police and first responders are being targeted. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, which tracks law enforcement deaths, 28 police officers have been shot and killed since January.

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