SACRAMENTO, CA --- In response to the death of George Floyd, Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) has introduced AB 1196, making it illegal to use a carotid artery restraint tactic to forcibly detain a suspect. The bill is co-authored by members of the CA Black Caucus, Latino Caucus, API, and LGBTQ Caucus.
“The world watched as the 200 lb. weight of a police officer was leveraged on the neck of George Floyd for over 8 minutes. Two other officers held him down and another watched as his body succumbed to the attack and went limp before expiring,” said Assemblymember Gipson.
“This dangerous technique compresses the carotid artery and stops blood flow to render the suspect unconscious. The deadly use of force technique can be performed using any object and can easily go wrong, this time it was a knee,” noted Gipson.
“We all witnessed this execution. This was far beyond the existing law that authorizes a peace officer to use reasonable force to effect the arrest, to prevent escape or to overcome resistance,” stated Gipson. “This bill specifically and clearly prohibits a law enforcement agency from authorizing the use of a carotid restraint.”
Gipson stated, “Speaking as a legislator and elected official, we have to do better. We have to hold those in authority accountable. Last year, the legislature passed AB 392 by Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) that mandated restrictions on the use of lethal force. After watching George Floyd’s murder, it’s clear we must do more.”
AB 1196 is now awaiting hearing before the CA State Senate.
As used in this legislation, “carotid restraint” means a vascular neck restraint or any similar restraint, hold, or other defensive tactic in which pressure is applied to the sides of a person’s neck for the purpose of restricting blood flow to render the person unconscious or otherwise subdue or control the person.