Georgia lawmakers are looking to get tough on 'swatting' after a series of hoax incidents over the Christmas period targeted politicians, with plans to introduce new legislation that would make the first offense a felony. 'Swatting'—a dangerous prank that involves reporting fake emergencies to send police to an unsuspecting victim's home—has hit several officials including State Sen. Clint Dixon of Gwinnett County, who recounted to FOX 5 how armed officers approached his residence following a false report of a hostage situation.
Dixon expressed the gravity of the hoax on Christmas Day, emphasizing that "if we had not [known the officers], and I had not answered the door the way I did, it could’ve turned deadly." Addressing the severity of recent events, he announced plans to work with Lt. Gov. Burt Jones to enhance state legislation. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Jones himself were also victims of similar swatting calls during the holidays, as reported by 11Alive.
Under current Georgia law, swatting is initially charged as a high and aggravated misdemeanor unless it interferes with critical infrastructure, which turns it into a felony. Dixon seeks to elevate the crime to a felony regardless of the outcome. The consequences could include incarceration for no less than 5 years and no more than 10 years, coupled with a $100,000 fine, or both, if a new bill is passed.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the FBI are taking these incidents seriously and they are working alongside local law enforcement to track down the responsible parties. Attorney General Chris Carr called the fake crime reports on public officials and private citizens alike "detestable," denouncing them as dangerous crimes. "Regardless of whether the targets are public officials, private citizens, Republicans or Democrats, these are not harmless pranks," Carr wrote in a statement. The FBI echoed the sentiment, encouraging the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement immediately.
As investigations continue, the call for legislation intensifies. Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick, another lawmaker who was swatted on Christmas Day, thanked law enforcement for their swift response to her home while stressing the ordeal her and her husband faced. A clear bipartisan call is rising to put an end to such perilous hoaxes, urging for laws that would allow prosecution of swatting suspects "to the fullest extent of the law."
