Griffo and Buttenschon: It’s time to act on legislation criminalizing threats of violence against mass gatherings

ONEIDA COUNTY- Following threats to several area school districts and others in the state, a pair of state lawmakers, who represent parts of the North Country, are calling on the legislature to take action on proposed legislation that would ensure those who threaten mass violence are held accountable.

New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo, (R-C-Rome), and Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, (D-Marcy), say the time to act is now. "Our nation and state have seen an increase in mass violence and this legislation was created to combat this crisis," Assemblywoman Buttenschon said.

Marianne Buttenschon image.

This development trails on a series of “swatting” incidents last week, where law enforcement agencies were alerted to numerous schools statewide for an active shooter, but the State Police ultimately determined them as “unfounded.”

"These deplorable threats cause widespread fear and disruption, especially at a time when many parents, schools and communities are already on edge following the recent school shooting in Tennessee," Sen. Griffo said.

Griffo and Assemblywoman Buttenschon's bill would amend the penal law and establish a new crime of making a threat of mass violence toward a school, college or university, place of worship, mass gathering of 25 people or more or a business if the threat is made in writing, verbally communicated or expressed through any other means of communication.

The legislation creates two crimes:   

• Making a threat of mass violence in the first degree would be considered a class D felony and would apply to anyone 18 years of age or older. The punishment for this crime would be a $35,000 fine and a sentence of no less than three years in prison.    
• Making a threat of mass violence in the second degree apply to individuals under the age of 18 and carry a fine of $35,000 and a mandatory sentence of 10 days in a juvenile detention facility. Individuals over 18 who make a threat of mass violence against the school that they are attending would be charged with the same crime and administered the same punishment as an individual under the age of 18.   

"The perpetrators of these heinous threats must be held accountable for their actions. They need to know that there are real consequences and serious repercussions for deciding to threaten mass violence at schools and other locations," Griffo added. "My legislation will ensure that the individuals making these threats are punished accordingly." 

"I will continue to work with my colleague to stop this violence in our communities," Buttenschon iterated.

Images via the offices of Joe Griffo and Marianne Buttenschon.