HR4310-119

What This Bill Does

The "Back the Blue Act of 2025" creates new federal crimes for killing or assaulting law enforcement officers, judges, firefighters, and other public safety officers who work for agencies receiving federal funding. It establishes severe mandatory minimum sentences for these offenses, expands firearm-carrying rights for active and retired law enforcement officers, and restricts habeas corpus appeals for those convicted of killing public safety officers.

Who Benefits and How

Law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, firefighters, and first responders receive enhanced legal protections. Attackers now face federal prosecution with mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years to life for killings (death penalty eligible if the victim dies) and 2-20+ years for assaults depending on severity.

Active and retired qualified law enforcement officers gain expanded rights to carry concealed firearms in more locations, including federal facilities (Security Level I and II) and school zones. The bill also allows them to carry high-capacity magazines.

State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies can receive up to $20 million per year in federal grants (fiscal years 2026-2030) to improve community relationships, implement procedural reforms, enhance training, and support officer wellness programs.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Defendants convicted of killing public safety officers face severely restricted habeas corpus appeal rights in federal court. Time limits are shortened, certain sentencing claims cannot be reviewed, and Rule 60(b)(6) relief is eliminated, making it much harder to challenge convictions.

Those who assault law enforcement officers face mandatory minimum sentences with no judicial discretion: 2-10 years for bodily injury, 5-20 years for substantial injury, 10+ years for serious injury, and 20+ years if a weapon was used.

Individuals who flee across state lines to avoid prosecution for killing law enforcement face an additional 10+ years imprisonment on top of all other sentences.

Key Provisions

• Creates new federal crime (18 U.S.C. 1123) for killing federal judges, federal law enforcement officers, and federally funded public safety officers, punishable by 10 years to life imprisonment or death
• Creates new federal crime (18 U.S.C. 120) for assaulting federally funded state/local law enforcement with mandatory minimums of 2-20+ years
• Adds killing a law enforcement officer as a specific aggravating factor for the federal death penalty
• Expands Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act to allow qualified active and retired officers to carry firearms in federal facilities and school zones
• Authorizes $20 million annually (FY 2026-2030) in grants for community policing, transparency, accountability, and officer wellness programs
• Restricts federal habeas corpus relief for defendants convicted of killing public safety officers, including shortened deadlines and elimination of certain procedural protections