Current:Home > MarketsGeorgia bill would impose harsher penalties on more ‘swatting’ calls-LoTradeCoin
Georgia bill would impose harsher penalties on more ‘swatting’ calls
View Date:2024-12-23 20:39:31
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia would strengthen penalties against false reports of shootings and bomb threats at homes, known as swatting, under a bill passed Monday by the state House.
The measure would also define a drive-by shooting as a separate crime.
The House voted 162-2 for Senate Bill 421, sending it back to the Senate because the House amended it to add the drive-by shooting provisions.
Georgia elected officials in December experienced a spate of swatting calls — prank calls to emergency services to prompt a response to a particular address, particularly a SWAT team. Among those targeted were multiple state senators, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Jones said his home in a small town south of Atlanta was swatted, only to have a bomb threat called in the next day.
It’s already a crime in Georgia to make such false reports, but first offenses right now are misdemeanors unless they are directed at critical infrastructure.
The bill would also make a first offense a felony if it were aimed at a dwelling or a place of worship. The measure also increases the felony penalty for second offenses, making the minimum prison sentence five years, instead of one year. It also adds stronger penalties for a third offense, requiring a sentence of 10 to 15 years.
The measure also requires that a someone convicted make up for any monetary losses by property owners or expenditures by a responding agency, including restitution for property damages or the cost of treating injuries.
“Those folks will be behind bars that are doing the swatting,” said state Rep. Matt Reeves, a Republican from Duluth.
Georgia is the latest state to consider stricter swatting penalties. Ohio last year made it a felony offense to report a false emergency that prompts response by law enforcement. And Virginia increased the penalties for swatting to up to 12 months in jail.
Some swatting injuries have led to police shooting people, and officials say they also worry about diverting resources from real emergencies.
The Georgia law would also define a drive-by shooting as a separate crime. Supporters say it’s needed because some shooters have escaped criminal penalties because current law is not precisely defined. The new crime would require a sentence of five to 20 years for shooting into an occupied dwelling or motor vehicle. It would also make it a crime that qualifies as a racketeering offense under Georgia’s anti-racketeering law.
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Olivia Munn Randomly Drug Tests John Mulaney After Mini-Intervention
- Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper Show Sweet PDA on Yacht in Italy
- You Have 24 Hours To Get 50% Off the Viral Benefit Fan Fest Mascara & More Sephora Deals
- Ina Garten Says Her Father Was Physically Abusive
- The Army’s answer to a lack of recruits is a prep course to boost low scores. It’s working
- Yellen says ending Biden tax incentives would be ‘historic mistake’ for states like North Carolina
- Nvidia, chip stocks waver after previous day's sell-off
- Imanaga, 2 relievers combine for no-hitter, lead Cubs over Pirates 12-0
- Golden Bachelorette: Joan Vassos Gets Engaged During Season Finale
- When do new 'Selling Sunset' episodes come out? Season 8 release date, cast, where to watch
Ranking
- Nevada Democrats keep legislative control but fall short of veto-proof supermajority
- Opening statements are scheduled in the trial of a man who killed 10 at a Colorado supermarket
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Open Wide
- New Hampshire US House hopefuls offer gun violence solutions in back-to-back debates
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul stirs debate: Is this a legitimate fight?
- Lady Gaga, Joaquin Phoenix bring ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ to Venice Film Festival
- Grandmother charged with homicide, abuse of corpse in 3-year-old granddaughter’s death
- Can the city of Savannah fine or jail people for leaving guns in unlocked cars? A judge weighs in
Recommendation
-
Kraft Heinz stops serving school-designed Lunchables because of low demand
-
A Minnesota man whose juvenile murder sentence was commuted is found guilty on gun and drug charges
-
Megan Thee Stallion addresses beef with Nicki Minaj: 'Don't know what the problem is'
-
Jimmy McCain, a son of the late Arizona senator, registers as a Democrat and backs Harris
-
Wisconsin agency issues first round of permits for Enbridge Line 5 reroute around reservation
-
Blue Jackets players, GM try to make sense of tragedy after deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau
-
Karolina Muchova returns to US Open semifinals for second straight year by beating Haddad Maia
-
Proof Christina Hall and Ex Ant Anstead Are on Better Terms After Custody Battle