Tuberville, Colleagues Crack Down on “Swatting” Crimes

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) to introduce the Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act, which expands the federal criminal hoax stature to specifically prohibit “swatting” hoaxes. Frequently used as an intimidation tactic, swatting hoaxes occur when false information about a crime is reported to law enforcement with the intent of eliciting an emergency response at a specific address. This legislation would impose strict penalties for swatting, including up to 20 years in prison if someone is seriously hurt because of a swatting attack.

“Swatting is a serious problem that must be addressed,” said Senator Tuberville. “My home was swatted twice around Christmas last year in a dangerous attempt to intimidate my family and me. Our brave men and women in blue shouldn’t have to use valuable time and resources answering hoax calls when they could be protecting communities and getting criminals off the street. I’m proud to join Senator Scott in standing up to these criminal hoaxers, making our communities safer, and keeping our law enforcement officers out of harmful situations.” 

“The cowards behind ‘swatting’ calls intentionally waste the time and resources of law enforcement and put people in danger in an attempt to inflict fear in communities and terrorize their targets,” said Senator Scott. “It’s absolutely despicable and those responsible must face real consequences for their actions. Swatters have attempted attacks on my family’s home, the homes of public officials, Trump administration nominees, and so many others – it has to stop. That’s why I introduced the Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act to crack down on these attempts. I’m proud to lead this important bill in the Senate again and look forward to its passage.”

Representative David Kustoff (R-TN) is leading the legislation in the House of Representatives. Joining Rep. Kustoff in cosponsoring are Representatives Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Mike Ezell (R-MS), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Laurel Lee (R-FL), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), and John Rutherford (R-FL).

The Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act was endorsed by the National Association of Police Organizations, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the National Sheriffs’ Association. 

Read the bill here.

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

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