ATLANTA – After a series of incidents, a new anti-swatting law goes into effect.

Gwinnett 9-1-1, the three numbers can save lives or endanger others.

State Senator Clint Dixon knows this firsthand.

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“It can be a very dangerous situation. You don't know who is coming into your house and of course you are on high alert when you get calls like this,” said Senator Dixon.

On Christmas Day, Dixon's house was searched.

Police received a call claiming there was a domestic dispute at Dixon's home and a man had just shot a woman. Dixon says his wife was the first to notice the SWAT-clad officers arriving at their home.

“When she saw several police officers coming up our stairs because the doorbell rang, she started screaming,” Dixon said.

Fortunately, the state senator was able to defuse the situation quickly. The next day, police were called to the house again, this time because someone had reported a bomb threat.

The state senator was one of at least six Georgia politicians who were victims of swatting attacks during the holiday season.

In this session, MPs passed a law that increases the penalties for providing false information.

“They will face justice and the punishment is very harsh,” Dixon said.

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The law came into effect on Monday, making it a crime to make a false emergency call that leads to swatting on a first offense.

The potential prison sentence increases with each subsequent incident.

“Knowing this is a first crime, I think it will go a long way in making these offenders think twice before making these calls,” Dixon said. “I hope it helps stamp out this problem. I hope no one becomes a victim of swatting.”

The law also makes the caller financially liable for any property damage caused by the police visiting someone's home.

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