Arizona GOPer Wants To Criminalize Filming Within 20 Feet Of Police

[MohRokTah]

I'm calling this the MAKE SURE COPS CAN GET AWAY WITH MURDER ACT OF 2016

Arizona GOPer Wants To Criminalize Filming Within 20 Feet Of Police

Arizona state Sen. John Kavanagh (R) has proposed a bill that would criminalize recording police or police activities within 20 feet without an officer's express permission, according to a Thursday report from The Arizona Capitol Times.

Kavanagh said Senate Bill 1054 allows citizens to film at 21 feet, which he said is close enough because cameras have improved so much.

“Most cameras have great resolution where you don’t really lose anything when you’re 20 feet away,” he said, according to the Times. “At 20 feet you can pretty much pick up small objects."

Under Kavanagh's bill, a first offense would result in a $300 fine while further violations could send offenders to jail for up to six months, according to the Times.

Kavanagh, who is a retired cop and teaches criminal justice courses at a community college, said it was a "distraction" to have someone filming too close to police.

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http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/john-kavanagh-police-filming-bill

[JoePhilly]

1. What if the cop is within 20 feet of a store that has a camara?

Does this fool want to fine the stores too?

[bluestateguy]

2. I would not comply with that law

it is unconstitutional, and thus, void, not law and not worthy of citizen obedience.

(See, teabaggers, we can play that little game too)

[Initech]

3. They really do not care about us, do they?

[ProfessorGAC]

4. He Could Have At Least Pretended. . .

. . .to make this about "public safety" and being closer than 20 feet puts the camera person at risk. But, no. It's about distraction.

What a tool

[Wellstone ruled]

5. More of ALEC and their TeaBillie

laws. Elections due matter.

[MagickMuffin]

6. BUT, But, But. . . . Get Government Outta Our Lives

Isn't that something they espouse? I seem to remember hearing that for decades. Especially since they love to campaign about it!

[Glassunion]

7. I'm cool with this.

As long as the cops wear a large crinoline with a minimum of a 20' radius.