A Kansas state law barring anyone from being within 25 feet of first responders engaged in their duties is coming under fire from some free-speech advocates, who say the bill violates the First Amendment and would be harmful as federal immigration raids continue throughout the state and country.
The Halo Act, which became law effective July 1 after the Republican-led Kansas legislature overrode the Democratic governor’s veto of the bill, makes it a misdemeanor for civilians to approach local and federal law enforcement, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, “while such first responder is engaged in the performance of such first responder’s duties.”
It is highly unlikely that this survives review in the 10th circuit, and it is even less likely it survives SCOTUS review should a split circuit occur. The Roberts court has proven itself unusually hostile to laws such as these.
It depends on the context and the situation. But, the law doesn’t prohibit cops from getting that close to you. It just prevents you from being close enough to record them as they commit their crimes.
That’s just it, though: cops are much more likely to kidnap or murder people than the general population.
So in order to stop kidnapping or murder, the person you’d need to stop is statistically likely to be a cop.