HR7439-119

What This Bill Does

The bill permits a federal law enforcement officer to use deadly force only when the officer reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury to the officer or another person. Deadly force is not necessary solely to prevent escape of a fleeing suspect, solely to disable a moving vehicle, or against someone threatening only themselves or property. Shooting at a moving vehicle is allowed only if someone in the vehicle threatens deadly force by means other than the vehicle, or the driver threatens death or serious physical injury and no objectively reasonable defense such as moving out of the vehicle's path appears to exist. Officers must give verbal warnings when practicable and safe, may not fire warning shots except in federal prisons, and the Attorney General must consult federal law-enforcement agency heads to develop training on tactics for situations where deadly force is prohibited. The definition includes federal law enforcement officers under title 18 and immigration officers under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Who Benefits and How

Civilians, fleeing suspects, people in moving vehicles, and people experiencing self-harm crises benefit from clearer limits on federal deadly force and warning-shot bans. Federal law enforcement agencies benefit from uniform standards and required training on alternative tactics.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Federal law enforcement officers, immigration officers, the Attorney General, and federal agencies employing officers must comply with the deadly-force restrictions, verbal-warning requirements, moving-vehicle limits, prison-only warning-shot exception, and new training development and delivery requirements.

Key Provisions

• Limits federal deadly force to situations where an officer reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury.
• Prohibits deadly force solely to stop a fleeing suspect, disable a moving vehicle, respond to self-harm, or protect property.
• Restricts firing at moving vehicles unless occupants threaten deadly force by other means or the vehicle threatens death or serious injury and no reasonable alternative exists.
• Requires verbal warnings when practicable and safe, bans warning shots outside federal prisons, and directs Attorney General-led training on alternative tactics.