'Blue Lives Matter' Law Signed By Governor

Governor Doug Ducey signed the so-called "Blue Lives Matter" bill that increases the penalties for people convicted of attacking off-duty law enforcement officers. Ducey says the law "sends the clear message that Arizona stands firmly with its men and women in uniform.

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"Our police officers put their lives on the line every day to defend our communities and keep our streets safe. Their job is dangerous enough already, and we have zero tolerance for anyone who would target officers simply for doing their jobs.

While the law had already stated that assaulting a law enforcement officer - on-duty or off - who is doing their job will bring a harsher sentence, the new law increases the penalty if the prosecutor can show the attack was motivated at least partly by the fact that the victim was a law enforcement officer.

The bill's name drew controversy.

Even Democrats who supported the legislation said that its name offended civil rights activists who are involved in the Black Lives Matter movement.

Photo Governor Ducey's office