In the state of Louisiana our second degree murder law gives the killer a chance at life, and they will never have to face the death penalty like their victims did. The victims families will never get their loved ones back, as they will never have a second chance at life. Our first degree murder law in Louisiana is very limited on who can be charged with the crime. All premeditated murder should be first degree murder. In our state the only ones charged with first degree murder are those who commit murder against a fireman, peace officer, or any civilian employee of the Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory; those who commit murder to an underage child or elderly person over the age of 65, and those who are committing crimes when the murder takes place. My petition is to change this to be anybody who commits the act of murder under premeditation or "lying in the wait" to be charged with first degree murder, have no chance of parole, and be eligible for the death penalty. The murder rate is very high in Louisiana and a lot of families are affected by senseless murder. Other states in the United States have laws convicting killers of first degree murder under these circumstances and they are eligible for the death penalty.