Sponsors
The bill gives federal law enforcement clearer tools and definitions to deter and prosecute barricading and improve officer safety, but it expands federal criminal exposure and contains broad language that risks overcriminalization, increased penalties, and potential erosion of civil liberties.
Federal law-enforcement officers gain a clear federal tool to charge and deter barricading conduct, improving officer safety and ability to end dangerous standoffs.
Prosecutors and public-safety officials can criminally target people who aid or assist barricading, discouraging coordinated resistance to arrests.
Law enforcement and local governments may get stronger public and legislative recognition of the risks of barricading, which could increase support for officers and spur policy or training emphasis to reduce standoffs and protect public safety.
People who remain inside a location to resist arrest face new federal criminal exposure (up to 3 years), increasing the risk of imprisonment for civilians.
Civilians may face enhanced penalties (up to 5 years) if a third party is present or a weapon is claimed, expanding the severity of federal punishment in tense situations even when no harm occurred.
Broad language (e.g., preventing "immediate access" and "knows or reasonably should know") risks overcriminalizing nonviolent refusals or ambiguous conduct, creating more litigation and court burdens for taxpayers.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Introduced October 30, 2025 by Bernardo Moreno · Last progress October 30, 2025
Creates a new federal crime of "barricading" to resist or evade federal law enforcement during an attempted arrest, defines the conduct that counts as barricading, and sets criminal penalties. Simple cases carry up to 3 years imprisonment (or a fine or both); aggravated cases (risk of serious harm, a claimed/possessed deadly weapon, or third parties trapped) carry up to 5 years. The bill amends 18 U.S.C. §111 to add the new offense and adjusts existing subsection designations.