Vetoed by Governor Joseph Lombardo

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits certain individuals from possessing firearms within 100 feet of an election site, with exceptions for law enforcement, licensed security, and certain property owners.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an individual from possessing or causing a firearm to be present in, or within 100 feet of an entrance to, a place the individual knows or reasonably should know is an election site, unless the individual (Sec. 1):

•  is a law enforcement officer engaged in the performance of his or her official duties;

• Is an off-duty law enforcement officer who is lawfully carrying a concealed firearm;

• Is a private security guard or other security personnel hired by the owner of the facility or property in which the election site is located;

• Possesses the firearm while in a vehicle, so long as the person does not brandish the firearm or remove the firearm from the vehicle; or

• Lawfully possesses a firearm in a place of residence, in a business, or on private property that is located within 100 feet of an entrance to an election site.

• Specifies that any individual who violates this prohibition is guilty of a gross misdemeanor, except if the individual knowingly possesses a firearm or causes a firearm to be present with the specific intent to disrupt, interfere with or monitor the administration of the election, the counting of votes or any person who is voting or attempting to vote, the individual is guilty of a category D felony (Sec. 1).

• Establishes an affirmative defense for a person who was lawfully in possession of a firearm and was traveling within 100 feet of an election site solely to access private property located within that area or departing from such property (Sec. 1).

• Requires the county clerk, registrar of voters or city clerk, as applicable, to post a sign at each election site notifying individuals that the possession of a firearm is prohibited (Sec. 1).

• Specifies certain requirements relating to the sign (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning July 1, 2025 (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits certain individuals from possessing firearms within 100 feet of an election site, with exceptions for law enforcement, licensed security, and certain property owners.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an individual from possessing or causing a firearm to be present in, or within 100 feet of an entrance to, a place the individual knows or reasonably should know is an election site, unless the individual (Sec. 1):

•  is a law enforcement officer engaged in the performance of his or her official duties;

• Is an off-duty law enforcement officer who is lawfully carrying a concealed firearm;

• Is a private security guard or other security personnel hired by the owner of the facility or property in which the election site is located;

• Possesses the firearm while in a vehicle, so long as the person does not brandish the firearm or remove the firearm from the vehicle; or

• Lawfully possesses a firearm in a place of residence, in a business, or on private property that is located within 100 feet of an entrance to an election site.

• Specifies that any individual who violates this prohibition is guilty of a gross misdemeanor, except if the individual knowingly possesses a firearm or causes a firearm to be present with the specific intent to disrupt, interfere with or monitor the administration of the election, the counting of votes or any person who is voting or attempting to vote, the individual is guilty of a category D felony (Sec. 1).

• Establishes an affirmative defense for a person who was lawfully in possession of a firearm and was traveling within 100 feet of an election site solely to access private property located within that area or departing from such property (Sec. 1).

• Requires the county clerk, registrar of voters or city clerk, as applicable, to post a sign at each election site notifying individuals that the possession of a firearm is prohibited (Sec. 1).

• Specifies certain requirements relating to the sign (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning July 1, 2025 (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text