Vote Without Fear Act
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Introduced
Summary
Ban on firearms within 100 yards of Federal election sites. This bill would make it a federal crime to knowingly possess a firearm in, or within 100 yards of, an entrance to a building used to administer a Federal election or to process or count ballots.
Show full summary
- Voters and poll workers: People voting and staff at polling places and ballot-counting sites would face fewer firearms nearby because possession in these zones would be unlawful within 100 yards.
- Election officials and administrators: The bill defines a "Federal election site" as a building where a U.S., state, or local employee is running a polling place or processing or counting ballots, clarifying which locations get protection.
- Law enforcement and private security: On-duty federal, state, or local law enforcement and authorized private security guards hired by a building manager are exempt from the ban.
- Residents, business owners, and drivers: The law permits lawful possession in a residence, place of business, or on private property, and allows firearms kept inside a vehicle within 100 yards if they are not removed or brandished.
- Criminal penalties: Simple violations carry fines or up to 1 year in prison, possession with intent to use the firearm in a crime carries fines or up to 5 years, and killings tied to such incidents are prosecuted under federal murder or manslaughter statutes.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Ban on guns at federal polling sites
If enacted, the bill would define a "Federal election site" as a building or part of a building where officials run a federal polling place or process or count ballots. It would make it illegal to knowingly have a firearm in, or within 100 yards of, an entrance to a site you know or reasonably believe is a Federal election site. Exceptions would include on-duty federal, State, or local law enforcement; authorized private security hired or arranged by the building owner or manager and on duty; a firearm kept in a vehicle if it is not removed or brandished; and otherwise lawful guns in a residence, place of business, or on private property. Violations or attempts would carry fines, up to 1 year in prison, or both; possessing a firearm there with intent to use it in a crime would carry fines, up to 5 years, or both. The bill would also make killings during those covered violations or attacks punishable under federal murder and manslaughter statutes.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
CT • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 3/17/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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