Washington, D.C. - Congressman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) has introduced a bill protecting law enforcement agents who are required to carry firearms for their job from enhanced penalties meant to deter criminals from carrying a weapon during the commission of a crime.

Brady’s bill would create a narrowly defined exception for law enforcement officers, using a seven-part test in the criminal code that defines punishment for crimes involving firearms. If satisfied, it would prevent law enforcement officers who have been sentenced in a crime from having their sentences enhanced because they used their firearm while on duty and in pursuit of a criminal they believed to be violent and dangerous.

“The law was originally created to punish criminals using weapons during the commission of a crime, not against armed law enforcement officers making split-second decisions while pursuing criminals evading arrest,” Brady said. 

“No matter where you come down on the mistakes of Border Agents Ramos and Compean, they should not have been subject to an additional 10-year federal sentence for using a firearm,” says Brady, who believes the 11 and 12 year sentences given the agents were excessive. “I want to prevent this from occurring again in the future.”

“Law enforcement officers have incredibly tough jobs protecting our safety. We shouldn’t make it harder on them,” Brady added.

The legislation has gained early support from the Federal Hispanic Law Enforcement Officers Association and Friends of the Border Patrol.