(The Center Square) – Free speech and civil discourse are promoted and violence tied to politics is deterred through legislation passed Tuesday in the North Carolina House of Representatives.
Political Terrorism Prevention Act, known also as Senate Bill 13, defines violence that is politically motivated; has a clause named for Charlie Kirk; strengthens deterrents through penalties; implements safeguards for procedures; and grants victims and next of kin access to make statements during any stage of the proceedings.
“Charlie Kirk was murdered because of his beliefs,” said Rep. Brenden Jones, R-Columbus, the majority leader of the House. “That is political terrorism in its rawest form. This law makes crystal clear: If you target someone because of their politics in our state, we will throw the book at you and then some.”
Passage was 105-6. Noes were recorded from Democratic Reps. Mary Belk and Julia Greenfield of Mecklenburg County, Maria Cervania of Wake County, Pricey Harrison of Guilford County, Marcia Morey of Durham County and Renee Price of Orange County.
Kirk was shot to death at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. He was the founder of Turning Point USA and known for active engagement in civil debate with those in disagreement with him.
The clause in the proposal honoring Kirk says an aggravating factor in death penalty proceedings can be murder that is motivated by politics.
In another case that gained national attention, Minnesotans on the morning of June 14 were shocked to learn House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman had been killed. Also overnight, Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette escaped an assassination attempt. He was shot nine times and his wife eight.
The penalty adjustments in the bill include:
• Makes offenders ineligible for parole, early release, or sentence reduction.
• Elevates politically motivated felonies by one class level.
• Politically motivated Class A felonies not otherwise capital offenses become death eligible.
“Political violence is terrorism,” said Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell. “If you try to silence Americans with bloodshed, you will face the harshest penalties the law allows. No mob or assassin will ever dictate what we say or believe.”
