A bill introduced in the Texas House of Representatives would make it illegal for private citizens to record police within 25 feet.
House Bill 2918, introduced by state Rep. Jason Villalba (R-Dallas) on Tuesday, would make the offense a misdemeanor. Citizens who are armed would not be permitted to record police activity within 100 feet of an officer, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Only representatives of radio or TV organizations that hold an FCC license, newspapers and magazines would have the right to record police.
The legislator disagreed with people on Twitter who said he's seeking to make all filming of cops illegal.
"My bill ... just asks filmers to stand back a little so as not to interfere with law enforcement," Villalba tweeted.
The bill would go against precedent set in 2011 by an appeals court, which found that citizens are allowed to record police, according to the ACLU.
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9 comments:
Zoom lens.....?
Completely unconstitutional. But who cares, obviously this idiot legislator doesn't
Here comes the police state. Oh, they're already here!
As noted, unconstitutional.
If, and it's a big if, it passed and was signed, it would be struck down.
Overreaction from the right is as counterproductive as nanny state moves from the left.
It should be illegal.
respect the police
KMA.
If 25 feet is the range of most smartphone cameras, they have effectively violated some federal judges decrees about recording.....
This is nothing more than a power grab to make sure that only the police have video of an incident!
What's the matter officer, got something to hide?
I've had two cameras installed in my car and have a go pro ready as well. Those cops will never find my two hidden ones. They'll never know who's watching.
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