The Parliament of Georgia has passed a bill to toughen penalties for shooting and firing from a vehicle.

A bill introducing stricter penalties for calls aimed at attracting special forces in Georgia was passed in the state House of Representatives with overwhelming support, as lawmakers seek to put an end to a practice primarily targeting elected officials. "Swatting" - or making a false report to the police that leads first responders to believe they are facing a mass shooter, hostages, or some other extreme situation - has affected several lawmakers in recent months, including state Senator Clint Dixon (Republican, Gwinnett), Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, and U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene.

This law makes swatting a crime.

“And this will ensure the safety not only of the public but, more importantly, will protect law enforcement officers from being called to such incidents,” said state representative Matt Reeves (Republican, Duluth), who is the author of the bill in the House.

Law SB 421

It was introduced in the state senate in January and unanimously passed on February 27.

• Individuals involved in swatting can be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison upon their first criminal prosecution.
• The second offense will lead to criminal charges, as well as a prison sentence of five to ten years and/or a fine of at least $5,000.
• The punishment for drive-by shooting will be imprisonment for five to twenty years.

The bill is now returning to the Senate before being sent to the governor for consideration. The crossover day: Georgia lawmakers are addressing issues related to immigration, protecting religious freedoms, and more.