Sponsors (4)
The bill increases safety at federal election sites and clarifies federal enforcement by restricting firearms and raising penalties, but it imposes legal risks and practical limits on lawful gun owners and raises enforcement costs for taxpayers.
Voters and election workers are safer because the bill bans unauthorized firearms within 100 yards of federal election sites, reducing risks of intimidation or violence.
Voters and election workers are better protected because possessing a firearm with intent to commit a crime at election sites carries tougher penalties (up to 5 years), deterring criminal plans.
Local and state governments gain clearer federal jurisdiction and enforcement authority to protect polling places and ballot-counting locations.
Lawful gun owners who legally carry near polling places risk arrest or prosecution if they misjudge whether a location falls within the covered 100-yard ‘Federal election site’ zone.
Traveling voters and others who keep firearms in vehicles may lose practical access to their firearms while near polling places because the vehicle exemption requires firearms to remain stored and not be removed or brandished.
Taxpayers could face higher costs from increased federal prosecutions and incarcerations, and the Department of Justice workload around elections could grow due to expanded enforcement.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a federal ban on unauthorized firearms within 100 yards of federal election sites, with 1-year penalties (5 years if intended for use in a crime) and specific exemptions.
Introduced March 17, 2026 by Raul Ruiz · Last progress March 17, 2026
Creates a federal crime that bans unauthorized possession or presence of a firearm in, or within 100 yards of, entrances to known or reasonably believed federal election sites (places where ballots are administered, processed, or counted for federal elections). Violations carry up to 1 year in prison (or a fine), with an enhanced penalty of up to 5 years if the firearm is possessed with intent to use it in a crime; killings committed during such violations are prosecuted under existing homicide and related laws. The measure includes exemptions for on-duty authorized law enforcement and certain private security, firearms kept inside vehicles that are not removed or brandished, and lawful possession inside residences, places of business, or private property located within the 100-yard zone.