Earlier this month, Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin (D) and Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey (D) introduced H.B. 6981, or the “Preventing Private Paramilitary Activity Act of 2024.”
Raskin and Markey, in a joint statement, emphasized the inadequacy of existing state laws against private paramilitary activities, noting their frequent obsolescence, lack of enforcement, or outright neglect. They argue that despite all 50 states prohibiting such activities, groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers were still able to mobilize and cross state lines to participate in the January 6th unrest.
The proposed bill outlines specific prohibitions against:
- “Publically patrol, drill, or engage in techniques capable of causing bodily injury or death;”
- “Interfere with, interrupt, or attempt to interfere with or interrupt government operations or a government proceeding;”
- “Interfere with or intimidate another person in that person’s exercise of any right under the Constitution of the United States;”
- “Assume the functions of a law enforcement officer, peace officer, or public official, whether or not acting under color of law, and thereby assert authority or purport to assert authority over another person without the consent of that person; or”
- “train to engage in any activity described in paragraphs (1) through (4).”
Under the proposed legislation, penalties for violating these prohibitions range from one year in prison for activities not resulting in bodily injury, up to life imprisonment for activities resulting in death.
Furthermore, the bill defines ‘paramilitary organizations’ as following: ‘any group of 3 or more persons associating under a command structure for the purpose of functioning in public or training to function in public as a combat, combat support, law enforcement, or security services unit.’
