Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Unveils Bills to Make Child Sexual Predators Face Death Penalty
Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna introduced a new set of bills on Tuesday that could impose the death penalty or life imprisonment for a wide range of crimes related to children. Two of the three bills would require sentences of death or at least life imprisonment for those charged with crimes such as child rape, molestation, and sexual abuse. The third bill would make guilty verdicts of rape and sexual abuse against adults carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years to life in prison.
Luna, who is a member of the House Freedom Caucus, met with President-elect Donald Trump over the weekend to discuss the issue, and said that Trump was enthusiastic about the idea. Donald Trump has also expressed support for the executive order to move the bill forward, although it would need to go through Congress first.
According to Luna, some people may be put off by the death penalty aspect, but she believes it is necessary to ensure that child predators are taken off the streets permanently. She argues that child predators cannot be rehabilitated and that it is essential to ensure that they are punished in a severe and deterrent way.
Luna has previously introduced similar bills in the past, but they have failed to gain traction. She hopes that with the new Congress, her bills will have a better chance of passing.