Lawmaker calls for harsher punishment for threats

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A state lawmaker plans to file legislation to increase the punishment for threatening elected officials. <br/><br/>Representative Paul Wesselhoft of Moore says he's received threatening

Saturday, September 24th 2005, 11:52 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A state lawmaker plans to file legislation to increase the punishment for threatening elected officials.

Representative Paul Wesselhoft of Moore says he's received threatening phone calls since announcing plans to file a bill to ban pit bulls. Wesselhoft proposed the bill after a Moore boy lost his arm in a June 12th attack by pit bull terriers.

He says lawmakers sometimes propose controversial bills and expect robust public debate. But he says lawmakers should not have to deal with personal threats.

State law calls for fines for those who attempt a violent act or threat against an elected official. The crime is a misdemeanor.

Wesselhoft says he wants to increase the penalty to no less than 90 days in jail or a fine of up to one-thousand dollars.