Lawmaker Backs Tougher Penalties For Terror Threats
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - A central Florida lawmaker wants tougher penalties for anyone caught making a 'terror threat'.
Rep. Jimmie Smith, from Inverness, has filed a bill that would increase the severity of the charge for this time of crime and require the accused to pay for any response by fire-rescue and law enforcement personnel. Smith's bill received support on Tuesday from the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee.
Smith's proposal would make it a felony for calling in a threat.
"Currently under Florida law, terroristic threats are only punishable as a criminal mischief or disturbing the peace," Smith said. "However, as we have seen across the nation these threats of violence must be taken seriously and require a law-enforcement response."
A similar measure Sen. Wilton Simpson has yet to be scheduled for any of its three planned committee appearances.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.