Crime
Should There Be Harsher Penalties for Swatting?

Should There Be Harsher Penalties for Swatting?
Here’s The Scoop
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), colloquially known as “MTG,” is taking a stand against the dangerous and disruptive practice of swatting, announcing plans to introduce legislation aimed at intensifying the crackdown on these deceitful acts.
Swatting, the act of making hoax calls to emergency services to elicit a large response against another individual, often under false pretenses of critical incidents, has seen a worrying rise across the nation, targeting schools, religious institutions, public figures, and even elected officials.
Greene herself has been a repeated victim of swatting, which involves making hoax calls to dispatch SWAT teams or a large police presence to a person’s home or workplace, creating not only a public nuisance but potentially life-threatening situations. This practice has wasted invaluable law enforcement resources and caused unnecessary panic and fear.
In her own words on X, Greene expressed her determination: “I will be introducing legislation to make it much easier for law enforcement to arrest and prosecutors to prosecute these criminals.”
The dangerous swatting harassment continues, as tonight, one of my family members was swatted at their house.
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) December 28, 2023
I will be introducing legislation to make it much easier for law enforcement to arrest and prosecutors to prosecute these criminals.
The proposed legislation comes in the wake of a series of swatting incidents targeting prominent figures, including Boston Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu, Rep. Brandon Williams (R-NY), and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), highlighting the urgent need for stronger deterrents and legal mechanisms to address and punish the perpetrators of such acts.
Last night, while at dinner with my wife, cowards “swatted” my home in Naples. These criminals wasted the time & resources of our law enforcement in a sick attempt to terrorize my family.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) December 28, 2023
Ann & I want to thank @NaplesPolice & @CollierSheriff for all they do to keep us safe.
With the FBI ramping up efforts through a national database to track swatting incidents, the question now turns to the public and legislative response. Should there be harsher penalties for swatting, reflecting the grave danger and disruption these false reports cause to communities and individuals alike?
Your voice is crucial in this debate as we confront a growing trend of cyber harassment and its real-world implications. Vote now and make your stance known on whether swatting should face more severe repercussions to deter this malicious behavior and safeguard our communities.
What do you think? Let us know by participating in our poll, or join the discussion in the comment section below!

James McElreath Jr
January 2, 2024 at 12:07 am
The problem with giving the FBI any authority is that they subvert the intent for their ill-gotten means! In other words, they can not be trusted to be honest and follow the laws they should follow! Maybe after a newly constituted FBI is in place, they may again be trusted to follow the rule of law, and no more follow the Dem-Socialist Party agenda!
Don
January 3, 2024 at 7:44 am
Spot on about the crooked FBI but in general the criminal justice system needs to be harsher on criminals, period…..including the government.
Tarheel
January 2, 2024 at 7:51 pm
Swatting to me is no different than yelling fire in a theater. At the very least it becomes dangerous for those being swatted while taking valuable resources away from authorities that have to determine which call to make if there are other actual emergencies.
Denise
January 3, 2024 at 10:23 am
Absolutely! It is a waste of resources, and ties up people who may be needed during a real emergency.
Lori
January 3, 2024 at 12:04 pm
Swatting is no different than calling in a false alarm to the Police or Fire Departments. Both should have harsh penalties as you are pulling valuable resources away from where they may be needed. While the police or fire departments are responding to that call, someone could be dying due to a real emergency, to my way of thinking if that scenario happened the caller should be charged with manslaughter at the very least as it could result in the swatted dying or the REAL EMERGENCY having someone die.
There is NO EXCUSE in such childish behavior from supposed Teens or ADULTS. It is inexcusable.
Jerry C.
January 3, 2024 at 5:16 pm
1-3 years in prison, $100,000 fine, full restitution for the funds expended by police on the false call, and civil liability of up to $10,000,000 when the victim sues, per infraction. If anyone dies in the incident, life in prison without possibility of parole. Sound good?
Ann M Riley
January 3, 2024 at 5:17 pm
They are always telling us to save on electricity, now they want to ban has cars, I Don’t think so.
Ann M Riley
January 3, 2024 at 5:19 pm
Gas cars.
Tarheel
January 28, 2024 at 8:24 pm
Most of these swatters will use a burner phone. However they do seem to think their antics are funny and will probably brag about it. Put a $25,000 dollar reward out there for reporting these jerks. Make the swatter cough up the reward along with 5 yrs. Imprisonment. They can’t Come up with the money give them 10 yrs. Furthermore it should be very newsworthy including their name, mug shot and the punishment they are now receiving to be a deterrent for others.