Nashville Standard

United States Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) have introduced the bipartisan Law Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act. The legislation aims to strengthen public safety by ensuring law enforcement officers have access to new non-lethal weapons such as tasers and stun guns. Senator Hagerty stated, "It is crucial that police officers are equipped with the best available technology to keep Americans safe." Senator Sinema added, "Our bipartisan bill gives them the tools to de-escalate tense conflicts without endangering officers, citizens, and uninvolved bystanders."

The Law Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act seeks to amend the statutory definition of a "firearm" established by the Gun Control Act by distinguishing modern less-than-lethal projectile devices like tasers from lethal firearms. The legislation defines a "less-than-lethal projectile device" through a two-part test supervised by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

The senators' proposal is endorsed by various law enforcement organizations, including the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the Major County Sheriffs Association (MCSA). These groups support the initiative as a means to provide law enforcement with the necessary resources to effectively address crime using non-lethal methods.