Should we create federal penalties for individuals who deliberately target local, state, or federal law enforcement officers with violence?

Crime and Law Enforcement (e.g., Gun Laws)
Protect and Serve Act of 2018 (H.R. 5698)
This bill has Passed the House of Representatives
Bill Summary

This bill amends title 18, United States Code, to punish criminal offenses targeting law enforcement officers: Whoever knowingly causes serious bodily injury to a law enforcement officer, or attempts to do so, shall be imprisoned up to 10 years and/or fined; and shall be imprisoned for up to life and/or fined if death results from the offense or the offense includes kidnapping, an attempt to kidnap, or an attempt to kill. Sponsor: Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-4]
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Opponents say

• Law enforcement already has substantial and severe protections under federal and state law, which renders this bill unnecessary.
• This bill is simply a political response to the growing national movement calling for police accountability in the face of violence against unarmed African Americans and promotes a fallacious narrative about the “war on police” that will further harm community-police relations.

Proponents say

• Deliberate, targeted attacks against law enforcement are on the rise and increased penalties will help reverse this trend and allow public safety officers to continue to protect the communities they serve.
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