Brad Raffensperger calls for increased penalty for false public alarm after bomb threats

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is pushing to put harsher penalties on people who cause public alarm after dozens of bomb threats spooked statehouses across the country.

Raffensperger said that a senior member of his office was swatted on Wednesday, as several state capitols, including in Georgia, faced bomb threats which were later deemed to be a hoax. To counter the spate of threats, Raffensperger called on the state General Assembly to pass a law that would create stiffer punishments for such actions.

TWELVE DAYS OF WEX-MAS: TRUMP COURT BATTLES MIGHT CONTAIN ONLY THING THAT CAN STOP HIM

“Cowardice never wins,” Raffensperger said in a statement on Thursday. “It is deeply troubling to see a rise in swatting and other physical threats.”

He also stressed that while there is expected to be increased political tensions this year due to the presidential election in November, citizens should participate in the “democratic process” rather than resort to “acts of intimidation.” Georgia is expected to be one of the most hotly contested states in the presidential election.

“We expect heightened tensions as we head into a major presidential election. We expect American citizens to engage in the democratic process — not resort to cowardly acts of intimidation,” Raffensperger said. “We’re committed to upholding our democratic principles and fighting for an environment in which citizens can freely and safely participate.”

Raffensperger also called on legislatures to take up his previously proposed bill from when he served in the state House, which would increase the punishment for people who transmit a false public alarm to include a penalty of one to 10 years of prison time.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The bomb threats to several state capitols across the country come after several politicians, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, say they were victims of swatting.

The Georgia General Assembly convenes for its regular session on Monday.