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States are gearing up for elections with gun restrictions at the polls

States are gearing up for elections with gun restrictions at the polls

Two more states passed bills restricting the use of guns at the polls after The Trace reported in March that several states are considering such measures.

Colorado, which already bans open carry of firearms at polling places, has expanded its ban on concealed weapons. In Massachusetts, a new law prohibits anyone from possessing a firearm within 150 feet of a polling place.

The measures reflect growing concerns about shootings and voter intimidation as an already violent election season draws to a tumultuous close.

Working group of the Ministry of Justice on threats before the elections charged On October 21, two persons were threatened to beat up or kill election workers. One of the suspects was a Pennsylvania man accused of texting death threats to a party official who was recruiting volunteer poll watchers, a standard practice in every election.

A day later, police arrested an Arizona man for allegedly firing several shots at a Democratic Party office in Tempe. Prosecutors said the man had more than 120 guns and more than 250,000 rounds of ammunition in his home, leading them to believe he planning a mass shooting.

On October 28, there were ballot boxes in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington set fire to with what law enforcement authorities called incendiary devices.

“There’s no doubt that political violence is on the rise,” said Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, which tracks election-related extremist activity. “The fewer weapons we introduce into this environment, the better off everyone involved in this election will be.”

The Colorado and Massachusetts measures were among 10 gun restrictions at the polls considered by states this year. Six of those bills — in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Vermont — failed to reach a final vote. Legislation to expand Virginia’s ban radius from 40 to 100 feet passed both houses of the General Assembly but was vetoed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who raised concerns about the Second Amendment.

California has already banned guns at the polls, but in September, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill allowing voters to sue violators for intimidation.