FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Charbonneau’s bill addresses thesafety of law enforcement officers
(STATEHOUSE) – Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) said Indiana’s law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to maintain peace deserve the utmost protection. Therefore, he is sponsoring a bill in the Senate that would increase penalties for people who forcefully take a firearm or weapon from a law enforcement officer.
The Senate approved HB 1074 today by a vote of 47 to zero. The measure will now return to the House of Representatives where Senate amendments will be considered.
If enacted into law, HB 1074 would make it a Class C felony if a person knowingly and intentionally takes a firearm or weapon from a law enforcement officer or away from the immediate proximity of the officer.
According to Charbonneau, the bill also enhances the crime of taking a firearm to a Class B felony if the officer is injured and a Class A felony if an officer dies.
“HB 1074 provides an additional tool that could help assure the safety of law enforcement officers as well as the general public,” Charbonneau said.
The need for House Bill 1074 was brought to Charbonneau’s attention by a Porter County deputy sheriff who had a suspect attempt to take his weapon. Because of current laws, the criminal could only be charged with a misdemeanor offense.
Charbonneau said the penalty of a misdemeanor for such a serious violation did not fit the crime.
“When a weapon is taken from a law enforcement officer, the officer and innocent bystanders are all put in life-threatening danger,” Charbonneau said. “The punishment needs to fit the crime.”
Supporters of the measure include Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter, the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police, the Indiana Fraternal Order of Police and the Porter County Sheriffs Department
Sen. Charbonneau represents Senate District 5, which includes Starke County and portions of Porter, LaPorte, Marshall, Jasper, Pulaski, and St. Joseph counties.
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