Don't Swat in Florida

Florida has laws against swatting. Specifically:

- In 2018, Florida enacted HB 7017 which made falsely reporting the use of firearms in a violent manner a third-degree felony. This was in response to the dangers of swatting.

- The law strengthened penalties for hoax callers, with a maximum prison sentence of up to 5 years.

- In 2020, Florida further strengthened their anti-swatting law with HB 1437. It increased penalties for falsely reporting bomb threats to up to 15 years in prison.

- Florida has successfully prosecuted swatting cases under these statutes. In 2019, a man was sentenced to over 2 years for making a bomb threat during a Florida swatting incident.

- Florida law enforcement has warned that swatting is a serious crime that wastes resources and endangers lives.

So in summary, following some high profile swatting cases, Florida passed targeted legislation in 2018 and strengthened it further in 2020. This provides authorities with the ability to charge swatting hoax calls as third-degree felonies carrying substantial prison time. Florida has shown a commitment to deterring swatting through these enhanced laws and penalties.