North Boston News

Washington, D.C. — On June 29, Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (D-TX) reintroduced the “Mass Shooter Prosecution Act” which would allow U.S. law enforcement to prosecute mass shootings as acts of terrorism. It would also enable law enforcement, in the wake of an attack, to uncover the broader network that supported the attack. 

The current Material Support statute for investigating acts of terror allows law enforcement to conduct a thorough and aggressive prosecution of an entire terrorist network. Currently, however, mass shootings are not legally classified as acts of terrorism. This effectively handicaps law enforcement in the wake of an attack, giving those who provided material support to the mass shooter the time to cover their tracks or assist in the planning of another shooting.

By prosecuting mass shooters as terrorists, law enforcement will be better equipped to target and dismantle these terrorist networks after an attack. 

“The shootings in Buffalo, Uvalde, and Nashville were nothing short of terrorism. The media, the general public, even the President call them that. But from a legal standpoint, we don’t currently prosecute mass shootings as the terrorist attacks that they are,” said Congressman Moulton. “My bill would not only allow mass shooters to be legally treated as terrorists, but it would also expand our ability to prosecute the networks of online enablers and criminals aiding these attacks.”

“My community of El Paso was forever changed by the actions of a domestic terrorist fueled by white supremacy theories,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “With this legislation, we’re giving law enforcement the tools they need to follow through with investigations into terrorist networks and any individual responsible for attacks against our communities. Proactive policies like these are crucial to saving lives and preventing future shootings.”

The bill specifically stipulates that a mass shooting is to be considered an act of terrorism only if it results in at least three fatalities and if the shooter uses a semi-automatic rifle or fully-automatic weapon. Such additional measures will ensure that the statute will not be misused by law enforcement to target traditionally overpoliced communities with impunity.

The Mass Shooter Prosecution Act also requires the Department of Justice to produce thorough reports on arrest data and related statutes made under this law. Such reports allow Congress to exercise its oversight responsibilities and ensure the law is being implemented in the intended manner. 

The mass shooters in Buffalo, Uvalde, Nashville, and countless other mass shootings all utilized qualified arms under this bill. Acts of terror like this have already taken hundreds of lives in 2023 alone. This bill would help bring justice to the offenders and protect communities across the country from more senseless violence.

Congressman Moulton and Congresswoman Escobar previously introduced this legislation in the 117th Congress.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

Original source can be found here.