The death penalty is a controversial issue alone in our country -- add child molesters and pedophiles to the mix, and parents get opinionated.

Adriana Rios of West El Paso said, "We want to protect children, but a penalty like the death penalty, oh my God, no."

"I think that once they are older and they have that in their mind, I think the older you get you could get wiser, but obviously they don't they know what they are doing and they are not going to change," said Elizabeth Guardian of Canutillo.

Monday, the Texas House Of Representatives gave preliminary approval to a bill that would sentence hardcore repeat child molesters to death. Some say the punishment fits the crime.

"I think they get what they deserve, Guardian said. They are old enough to know what they are doing. Fair is fair. I think the death penalty is better than just what they are doing - it is just terrible."

The House voted to create a new category of crime called continual sexual abuse of young children. Now under the bill, a first offender would be sentenced to at least 25 years in prison and a second offense would possibly carry the death penalty. Some say death is not the answer

Elizabeth Castro of West El Paso, "I think they should make them suffer for what they do, not just kill them because they are doing them a favor. They shouldn't kill them - make them suffer."

The bill is still far from becoming a law. It still needs to get final approval in the House before moving to the Senate. Opponents of the bill say it may encourage molesters to kill their victims. House members said they consulted victims groups and district attorneys before coming to their decision.