H.R. 2471 — Introduced in House

I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2471 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 3, 2023Mr. Ruiz introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To prohibit the unauthorized possession of a firearm at a Federal election site. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Vote Without Fear Act. 2. Prohibition on unauthorized firearm possession at a Federal election site (a) In general Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 935. Prohibition on unauthorized firearm possession at a Federal election site (a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), whoever knowingly possesses or causes to be present a firearm in, or within 100 yards of an entrance to, a place that the individual knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is a Federal election site, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both. (2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to— (A) the possession of a firearm by a law enforcement officer employed by the United States, a State, or a political subdivision thereof, or a private security guard hired or arranged for by the owner or manager of a building in which there is a Federal election site, who is authorized by law to possess a firearm and who is on duty; (B) the possession of a firearm in a vehicle within 100 yards of an entrance to a Federal election site, if the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is in, or within 100 yards of the entrance to, a Federal election site; or (C) the otherwise lawful possession of a firearm in a place of residence, in a place of business, or on private property, in or within 100 yards of an entrance to a Federal election site. (b) Whoever, with intent that a firearm be used in the commission of a crime, knowingly possesses or causes to be present the firearm in, or within 100 yards of an entrance to, a place that the individual knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is a Federal election site, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. (c) A person who kills any person in the course of a violation of subsection (a) or (b), or in the course of an attack on a Federal election site, involving the use of a firearm, or attempts or conspires to do so, shall be punished as provided in sections 1111, 1112, 1113, and 1117. (d) In this section, the term Federal election site means a building or any part thereof at which an employee of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision thereof is engaged in— (1) the administration of a polling place in an election for Federal office; or (2) the processing or counting of ballots cast in such an election. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections for such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 935. Prohibition on unauthorized firearm possession at a Federal election site. .