Congress wants to make police a federally protected class, do you agree?

[OFFascist]

https://www.buzzfeed.com/dominicholden/this-new-bill-in-congress-would-imprison-people-for-10

Republicans and at least one Democrat in Congress rolled out legislation on Tuesday that would imprison people for up to 10 years for seriously injuring a police officer — or attempting to do so — with backers saying a new federal punishment is needed to curb "cowardly assaults" on police.
...
Hatch’s Senate bill — using language typical of hate crimes laws that protect minorities — would penalize those who target someone for serious assault or homicide because the victim is or is perceived to be a law enforcement officer. It would apply if the assailant crosses state lines, uses a weapon that has traveled interstate, or if the offense interferes with commerce. It would be equally applied to those who "attempt to" injure or kill an officer, too. Someone who kills or kidnaps an officer would be eligible for life in prison.

The House version does not stipulate that perpetrators must be motivated by the belief that their victim is a law-enforcement officer — only that they must "knowingly" injure or kill the officer.

I'm opposed to this for a variety of reasons. We don't need more federal laws, state laws are sufficient to deal with this issue (and they already do for the most part). This also seems like another major abuse of the interstate commerce clause, and IMO could potentially violate a person's natural right to self defense in some situations.

There have been cases where police have made up an assault allegation (Olmos Park, TX for example) if the Feds get involved in this that would be another layer of government an individual would have to defend themselves from legally.

 

[grasshopperglock]

There's already a plethora of laws both federal and state that places a peace officer in a section of its own. Everybody knows if you harm a cop, you're phucked. It's nothing new. This is midterm election political posturing. Same old thing.

I don't care for buzzfeed.

 

[pronstar]

Yup, they’re already shielded.
And the full weight of law prosecuted cop killers.

They’re local officers.
They already get local/state protection, and don’t need additional federal protection IMHO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Charlie]

The king's army!

 

[F350-6]

Don't want things overboard where if you get in an auto accident one could be charged under this, but remember the old days when cops would yell out "stop, or I'll shoot"?

That's a far cry from the force getting sued every time someone of color gets shot.

There needs to be some middle ground somewhere. I have no problem with it being at the state level, as long as the supreme court doesn't overturn anymore of the stop or I'll shoot, or other state stuff.

 

[Ole Cowboy]

https://www.buzzfeed.com/dominicholden/this-new-bill-in-congress-would-imprison-people-for-10



I'm opposed to this for a variety of reasons. We don't need more federal laws, state laws are sufficient to deal with this issue (and they already do for the most part). This also seems like another major abuse of the interstate commerce clause, and IMO could potentially violate a person's natural right to self defense in some situations.

There have been cases where police have made up an assault allegation (Olmos Park, TX for example) if the Feds get involved in this that would be another layer of government an individual would have to defend themselves from legally.

Going to agree with you here, but for different reasons.

We are but a step away from, Federalizing local Police. Bill Clinton wanted to, in fact Clinton wanted direct control over all police to include FBI. He did not get it, but what he did get was DIRECT funding by job title to Police. So we have the ability of POTUS to direct fund police and its still in effect, Obama used it. I see this as very dangerous. If the Feds are direct funding by job title they where does loyalty lie? As we have seen more and more Police Chiefs are further and further to the left.

Then one day they decide to ban guns and now your local Police is in on it.

 

[Vaquero]

As long as I'm as "special" and protected as cops are.
And I can carry anywhere, anytime.

 

[AustinN4]

As long as I'm as "special" and protected as cops are. And I can carry anywhere, anytime.

Fat chance of that!

 

[kenboyles72]

Hmmm, who was it in history that federalized the police forces and what happened after that. If this happens, shit's gonna go south pretty damn quick.

 

[Big Green]

My basic answer to this is that there should be zero protected classes. No hate crimes, no extra penalty because of anything extra. Do the crime, do the time. Justice cannot be blind if she's allowed to have classes of protected people.

 

[Ole Cowboy]

My basic answer to this is that there should be zero protected classes. No hate crimes, no extra penalty because of anything extra. Do the crime, do the time. Justice cannot be blind if she's allowed to have classes of protected people.

I am with you 100% Protected classes of people only lead to divisions in society. Like we have NOW.

Hate crime laws WILL BE USED by the govt to prosecute your THOUGHTS, they are nothing new and every country that has had them has used them on their own people. In fact this is going on in America today, how long before the Feds come after you because: You voted for Trump back in 2020, or you owed a gun according to FBI Records. Just wait!

 

[AustinN4]

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
from Animal Farm by George Orwell.

 

[Charlie]

My basic answer to this is that there should be zero protected classes. No hate crimes, no extra penalty because of anything extra. Do the crime, do the time. Justice cannot be blind if she's allowed to have classes of protected people.

Winner ^^^^^^

 

[Ole Cowboy]

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
from Animal Farm by George Orwell.

In the eyes of GOD, the eyes of the GOVT, the eyes of the LAW, ALL should be equal.

Sadly not he case, if it were true, Hillary and Obama would be sharing a cell in a hard labor prison...

 

[easy rider]

Oh yeah, I certainly can't see any abuse of this law.

 

[oldag]

My basic answer to this is that there should be zero protected classes. No hate crimes, no extra penalty because of anything extra. Do the crime, do the time. Justice cannot be blind if she's allowed to have classes of protected people.

 

[atticus finch]

Hmmm, who was it in history that federalized the police forces and what happened after that. If this happens, shit's gonna go south pretty damn quick.

Hitler federalized the civilian LE, the results speak for themselves.

 

[Sam7sf]

As already mentioned by members I too would worry. I'm all for safety and being provided what you need to be safe. However, some jobs are more dangerous that others. The fact people in le like the deputies and Sherrif that "helped" with the parkland shooting are on duty are why people should be worried if we make them a protected class. If they can't grab their balls and go protect people, I'm not gonna trust em to tell the truth about anything. Good cops are good people. Bad cops are bad people. What all agencies need is to hire the most honest and honorable people. They need better relationships with citizens. What they don't need is to ignore their problems and be a protected class.

 

[easy rider]

There are already laws against hitting or shooting an LEO, this sounds like a license to act above the law. To LEO's that take an oath to serve and protect, the citizen is the one that is supposed to be protected.

 

[Moonpie]

No.