Rep. Ted Poe of Texas has introduced a bill to “Back the Blue,” which would increase federal penalties on those who kill, assault or plan violence against law enforcement officers.

Poe introduced the act after a recent spike of police shootings. Five police officers were killed in Dallas, Texas on July 7, and three more were killed in Baton Rouge.

Poe said his bill is meant to promote security for those who risk their lives daily to protect the rest of America. 

Poe’s bill would make it a federal crime to kill or attempt to kill a federal police officer, public safety officer or judge. The bill would create a mandatory minimum 30–year sentence if the victim dies. If the victim doesn’t die, the shooter could still face up to 10 years in prison. 

In addition, the bill would create a new federal crime for assaulting a federal law enforcement officer and would add increasing penalties depending on the severity of the victim’s injuries. Under the bill’s statutes, fleeing authorities would also become a federal crime.

The bill would give officers the ability to carry firearms into a greater number of buildings that they previously could not.