FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
February 29, 2012
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Suzanne Webb (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 1
AG ANNOUNCES SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL WITH FELONY
PENALTY FOR DISARMING A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
(MONTGOMERY)–Attorney General Luther Strange announced that the
Alabama Senate has approved a bill in his legislative package that sets a felony
penalty for disarming a law enforcement officer. Attorney General Strange
advocated this legislation to provide better protection for law enforcement
officers.
Senate Bill 91 is sponsored by Sen. Tammy Irons. This legislation is
pending in the House of Representatives, where it has had a first reading and
was referred to the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee.
“During my first year as Attorney General, I have been honored to meet
with law enforcement officers throughout Alabama and I am impressed and
grateful for their dedication to protect our citizens and enforce our laws,” said
Attorney General Strange. “In return, these officers deserve state laws that
provide strong and effective defense and deterrence against those who would
harm them. I am pleased that this law will make Alabama safer for our citizens
and for these heroic public servants. I want to thank Sen. Tammy Irons for her
leadership in gaining approval of this bill by the Alabama Senate. “
Senate Bill 91 provides tough penalties for the disarming of a law
enforcement officer. Under current law there is no specific crime for disarming a
law enforcement or corrections officer. This bill would make it a class C felony to
intentionally remove a firearm or weapon, or to deprive a law enforcement or
corrections officer of its use when the officer is acting within the scope of his
duty and the person reasonably should have known that this was a law
enforcement or corrections officer.
–30–
501 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov
