After DA slayings, Texas senator introduces bill to expand protections
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, is introducing legislation to increase protections for judges and prosecutors in part by authorizing them to carry guns in federal facilities.
The bill would allow such officials to carry guns in any federal facility, not just courthouses, report the Dallas Morning News, the Associated Press, KWTX, the Hill and a news release. The legislation would also create new federal penalties for killing, attempting to kill, or conspiring to kill a U.S. judge, federal law enforcement officer, or federally funded public safety officer, including state prosecutors and judges.
The bill would also allow state and local governments to use existing federal grant funds to provide security details for prosecutors and judges who are in danger of retaliation or intimidation.
Cornyn introduced the bill, The Line of Duty Act of 2013, after the shooting deaths of Kaufman County, Texas, District Attorney Mike McLelland, his wife Cynthia McLelland, and Assistant DA Mark Hasse.
