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Congressman Vern Buchanan Leads Effort to Pass Thin Blue Line Act

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Congressman Vern Buchanan led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in calling for the passage of the Thin Blue Line Act, a bill that would strengthen penalties against cop killers. The legislation, which passed the House in the 115th Congress, would make the murder or attempted murder of a police officer an aggravating factor in death penalty determinations. The bill aims to protect law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Thin Blue Line Act would make the murder or attempted murder of a police officer an aggravating factor in death penalty determinations.
  • The bill would apply to federal, state, and local police officers, firefighters, and first responders who are murdered on duty or because of the performance of their duty.
  • The legislation has been endorsed by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, the National Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, and the Sergeants Benevolent Association.
  • In the first five months of this year, 123 officers were shot, and 19 were killed, representing a 35 percent increase over the same period in 2021.
  • There have been 25 ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers this year, resulting in 39 officers shot and six killed.
  • The Thin Blue Line Act would apply to homicides involving federal jurisdiction, such as the interstate homicide of an officer or an officer killed on federal land.

Statistics:

  • 123 officers were shot in the first five months of this year, a 35 percent increase over the same period in 2021.
  • 19 officers were killed in the first five months of this year.
  • There have been 25 ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers this year, resulting in 39 officers shot and six killed.
  • Ambush-style attacks against officers were up over 125 percent in 2021 compared to 2020.
  • The Thin Blue Line Act has the support of 52 Republican lawmakers.

Sources:

  • Congressman Vern Buchanan's letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi
  • The National Fraternal Order of Police
  • Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody
  • The National Association of Police Organizations
  • The Sergeants Benevolent Association
  • Contify.com

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