Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made waves on Wednesday after signing into law what he called “the strongest anti-swatting legislation in the country.” The move comes in direct response to a wave of recent incidents where conservative commentators and influencers were targeted by false emergency calls — a dangerous tactic known as “swatting” that has already turned deadly in several cases.

House Bill 279 dramatically escalates penalties for false emergency reports. Under the new law, individuals who make false claims that prompt a SWAT response will face a third-degree felony if someone is seriously hurt or permanently injured, and a second-degree felony if the hoax results in death. The bill also requires perpetrators to pay back the costs of police response, prosecution, and victim restitution.

DeSantis emphasized the real-world dangers of these false alarms. “The officers think they’re walking into an active shooter situation,” he said in a Fox News interview. “Meanwhile, the person inside the home has no idea what’s going on. It’s a recipe for tragedy.”

Swatting isn’t a new problem — but it’s been supercharged in recent years as political polarization and digital targeting increase. Conservative media figures, influencers, and even elected officials have seen their homes raided by police based on phony calls alleging hostage situations or violent crimes. In Florida and elsewhere, these calls have resulted in guns drawn, innocent people endangered, and entire communities rattled.

“I signed an anti-swatting bill a couple of years ago,” DeSantis told “America’s Newsroom.” “But this bill? It’s a whole new level. We’ve seen this turn into a political weapon. That’s going to stop in Florida.”

The governor’s remarks weren’t just theoretical. He specifically noted that the trend of targeting conservative influencers with swatting calls appears to have an ideological edge. While the bill protects all Floridians regardless of political affiliation, DeSantis didn’t shy away from calling out the apparent bias in how swatting is being used.

“We’ve had SWAT calls on conservative media figures — not just here in Florida, but around the country,” he said. “That’s not a coincidence.”

One such case involved a conservative personality in Tampa who was swatted three times in two months — each time, armed officers responded in full gear based on fake reports. In another incident, law enforcement stormed the home of a Christian podcaster in Miami while he was live streaming to thousands of followers.

“Ideologically motivated swatting isn’t just harassment,” said DeSantis. “It’s an act of intimidation designed to silence political opposition. That’s not going to be tolerated in this state.”

Under the new law, repeat offenders will face felony charges after just two false reports — down from four under previous legislation. Supporters of the bill say that’s an essential change given how fast swatting can escalate.

“This isn’t a prank. It’s attempted murder by proxy,” said one local sheriff who backed the legislation. “You can’t keep giving these people slaps on the wrist and expect the attacks to stop.”

Florida’s new legislation also puts greater liability on hoaxers by holding them accountable for the financial cost of their stunts — from police resources to emergency medical responses and victim damages.

Critics on the left have raised concerns about overcriminalization, but public support for the crackdown is strong, especially among those who’ve been directly impacted by the phenomenon.

“It’s about time the law caught up to the threat,” said a conservative commentator who asked not to be named after experiencing a swatting attempt in March. “I live with cameras on and a dog that won’t stop barking because one day someone decided to fake a hostage call. It’s terrorism — plain and simple.”

Governor DeSantis echoed that sentiment, calling swatting “a form of domestic terror” and promising to keep Florida “a state where law-abiding people are protected and criminals pay the price.”

The law takes effect immediately. And with other red states watching closely, Florida may have just set the new national standard.