Keeping counterfeit goods out of our soldiers’ hands

Senator Coons cosponsored an important piece of legislation for our troops this week, the Combating Military Counterfeits Act of 2011, alongside Senators Whitehouse (D-RI), McCain (R-AZ), and Graham (R-SC). This bipartisan bill will intensify criminal offense for trafficking in counterfeit military products.

“Especially at a time when so many of our troops are deployed, it is disturbing to think that inferior, counterfeit goods are making it into the hands of our men and women in uniform,” Chris said. “It is a dangerous, flagrant practice and it needs to be stopped. This bill would increase the punishment for those who sell our military counterfeit goods that could cause injury, compromise combat operations, or disclose classified information. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill and look forward to working for its passage.”

As of now, sentences imposed on traffickers who are responsible for military counterfeits do not address the serious dangers that these products pose to our troops. The Combating Military Counterfeits Act will address this deficiency by creating a new criminal provision that specifically targets trafficking in military counterfeits and increasing penalties for criminals who know that the counterfeit product they sell is intended for use by the military or is identified as meeting military standards.