Edwards Vetoes Bill Making It Illegal To Be Within 25 Ft. Of Police Officer

Gov. John Bel Edwards says a bill that would make it illegal to be within 25 feet of a police officer doing his job would be unconstitutional.

Edwards vetoed the measure on Wednesday.

The bill would have made it a misdemeanor to approach a law enforcement officer engaged in law enforcement duties.

The punishment would be a fine of up to $500 and 60 days in jail.

The governor said such a law would pressure bystanders not to observe or record police action, in violation of the First Amendment.