Tough laws aimed at protecting kids

To the editor:

In response to a Dec. 13 letter talking down my legislation toughening penalties on sexual predators: The author believes tougher penalties for sex offenders would "not make people safer in Missouri." On the contrary, my legislation would make all Missourians, especially children, safer by making the law reflect appropriate and tough penalties for those who sexually assault children, including life in prison in some cases for the first offense.

All parents want to let their children play in the yard or ride a bike to a friend's house without fear. There should be no tolerance for criminally deviant sexual attacks against children. By putting those who commit heinous acts against a child in jail for life for the first offense, we can make sure known criminal offenders do not get the chance to victimize children again.

I crafted this legislation carefully, using proven national models and had the assistance of several prosecutors and a career probation officer with a master's degree. Most legislators, law-enforcement officials and Missouri citizens are comfortable getting tougher on sexual predators.

The letter writer, Brian E. Oliver, has a "fair amount of certainty" my proposed legislation increasing punishment for sexual offenders is too tough. I agree these laws are tough on sexual offenders. I hope they are tough enough to send a strong message to potential offenders: Don't ever sexually assault a child.

I will continue to do everything from my position in the Missouri Senate and in my personal power to protect Missouri's youngest and most precious citizens, our children.

JOHN LOUDON, State Senator, 7th District, Ballwin, Mo.