"Above the Law" bill introduced on House floor by GOP Congressman

[derby378]

HR 866, if passed, would apply a different standard of justice to police officers who commit a violent crime while on duty as opposed to the justice that the average American would get. Essentially, mandatory minimum sentences would not apply to cops - but they would still apply to us, you betcha. Read on...

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Law Enforcement Protection Act'.

SEC. 2. EXCEPTION TO CERTAIN MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCING REQUIREMENTS FOR A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO USES, CARRIES, OR POSSESSES A FIREARM DURING AND IN RELATION TO A CRIME OF VIOLENCE COMMITTED WHILE PURSUING OR APPREHENDING A SUSPECT.

Section 924(c)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as subparagraphs (C) through (E), respectively, and inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:

`(B) The minimum sentencing requirements of subparagraph (A) shall not apply if--

`(i) at the time the person used, carried, or possessed the firearm, the person was a law enforcement officer authorized to carry the firearm;

`(ii) the offense under this paragraph occurred while the person was on-duty, and during or in relation to the pursuit or apprehension of an individual who the person reasonably believed had committed a crime; and

`(iii) the crime committed by the person during and in relation to which the offense under this paragraph occurred is a crime of violence.'.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.866:

[midnight]

1. Why don't these peole have any respect for our constitution?

[roguevalley]

22. it will get thrown out by the courts. they can try but they won't succeed.

[T Wolf]

2. Are we heading to a Soylent Green future where touching a cop brings a death penalty?

In a perfect world, they might be deserving of special protection. But, as long as the ranks are filled by the type of individual now found in law enforcement, they deserve more restrictive laws applied to them.

[derby378]

5. It may soon be illegal to even photograph a cop in the UK

That's pretty messed up.

I have no problem with cops, myself. They work long hours in stressful conditions for little pay and less gratitude. But they are here to enforce the law, not elevate themselves above it.

[atreides1]

3. Look at the List of Cosponsors

Rep Bilbray, Brian P. - 2/4/2009 Rep Broun, Paul C. - 2/4/2009
Rep Burton, Dan - 2/4/2009 Rep Culberson, John Abney - 2/4/2009
Rep Franks, Trent - 2/4/2009 Rep Gingrey, Phil - 2/4/2009
Rep Gohmert, Louie - 2/4/2009 Rep Harper, Gregg - 2/4/2009
Rep Johnson, Sam - 2/4/2009 Rep Kingston, Jack - 2/4/2009
Rep Latta, Robert E. - 2/4/2009 Rep Marchant, Kenny - 2/4/2009
Rep McCaul, Michael T. - 2/4/2009 Rep Rohrabacher, Dana - 2/4/2009

So much for equal justice!!!

[LiberalFighter]

4. Who was/were the congressperson(s) that introduced this bill?

I want a damn bill passed that would allow us citizens to shoot the hell out of these assholes. Wait a minute. Forget the bill. Shoot them anyhow.

[derby378]

7. I think it's Kevin Brady, 8th Congressional District of Texas

I don't want him shot - I just want someone to talk some sense into that tiny little brain of his.

[LiberalFighter]

14. If his brain is that tiny then anything that goes into it would not stay long.

Cause everything he hears new would push anything old out of his pea brain.

[sinkingfeeling]

6. I doubt this will ever make it to a vote, but it does show how the GOP mind works.

[Solly Mack]

8. K&R

I want to be above the law, dammit!

[derby378]

9. Reminds me of that Newark cop who said "I can do whatever I want"

He arrested a cameraman for simply filming a memorial rally for someone who was murdered in Newark. Put him in a chokehold because he refused to give up the camera.

If cops think they can get away with breaking the law, this is what you get.

[valerief]

10. When I saw the headline, I thought it had something to do with prosecuting Bush/Cheney etal. nt

[derby378]

11. I sure wish someone would... (n/t)

[groundloop]

12. Go Phil Gingrey,

He's my man. Yup, he's sure doing a great job representing me. First he makes a big name for himself caving in to rush limpballs on nrr (national repuke radio) now he's co-sponsoring a bill to put certain members of our society above the law.

[bluesmail]

13. In their twisted minds it could-if passed- be used as a precedent in any

upcoming criminal trials against Dick and George and Donald and Condaleeza and ...the rest of the torture team. They know how to twist the facts into surrealism and nonsense.
People behind the curtain are still there. By the way, who are the people behind the curtain? (Must change every generation or so and I know it is a secret punished by death if the list got out).

[Ghost in the Machine]

15. FUCK the jackboots! If they're gonna *enforce* the laws, they're gonna *obey* the laws, too

If not, there's a cure for that:

[windoe]

16. The new definition of justice

Laws are for citizens that are not rich, well connected or a law enforcer.

The only way to bring down the criminal old guard that has infiltrated our government is to insist on Bush/Cheney investigation immediately! It is a matter of National Security---our security, and peace of mind, and that of our children. This law cannot pass, it gives a green light to police brutality we have not even seen yet.


:patriot: To all the patriots here with their eyes open.

[windoe]

17. dupe

[frylock]

18. i'm of the opinion that cops who abuse their authority should face double the penalty..

but i'm funny that way.

[lpbk2713]

19. So if this becomes law ....

... they can put a 'double 0' in front of their badge number?

I'll be okay with that when Law Enforcement stops taking their

applicants from the ranks of the human race, But not until then.

[jtrockville]

20. Should we rewrite the pledge to coincide witth this? Remove "and justice for all"?

[Greyhound]

21. Aren't we lucky that we don't live in some police state? n/t

[KamaAina]

23. "They hate us for our freedoms"

so let's take away the freedoms!

:sarcasm: