Bill · H.R. 7965· House(119-HR-7965)
Vote Without Fear Act
- Introduced
- 3/17/2026
- Last activity
- 3/17/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Raul Ruiz
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Vote Without Fear Act" aims to prohibit the unauthorized possession of firearms at Federal election sites. Under this bill, possessing a firearm within 100 yards of an entrance to such a site could result in fines or up to one year in prison. If a person intends to use the firearm to commit a crime, the penalty increases to a fine or up to five years in prison. The law also establishes specific punishments for anyone who kills a person during a violation or an attack on these sites. Federal election sites are defined as locations where employees administer polling places or process and count ballots for Federal offices.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns?+8
Creates a new federal restriction on firearm possession in specific sensitive locations.
Does this protect the right to vote?+7
Protects the integrity and safety of the voting process by reducing firearms at polling sites.
Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice?+6
Increases safety for voters, potentially reducing voter intimidation at election sites.
The opposite
Would gun owners be better off under this?-8
Creates new criminal liabilities for gun owners near election sites.
Does this protect the right to own guns?-7
Imposes new criminal penalties for possessing firearms within 100 yards of election sites.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-4
Overrides state laws regarding firearms in election sites by imposing federal penalties.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased penalties for criminal intent: Under Section 2(a)(1), individuals who possess a firearm with the intent to use it in the commission of a crime face stricter penalties of up to 5 years in prison or a fine (Section 2(b)).
-
Protection against violence: The bill provides for specific punishments for anyone who kills a person during a violation or an attack on a Federal election site involving a firearm (Section 2(c)).
-
Clear exceptions for security and law enforcement: The law does not apply to law enforcement officers on duty or private security guards hired by building owners/managers, allowing for authorized security presence (Section 2(a)(2)(A)).
-
Protection for lawful private possession: The prohibition does not apply to the otherwise lawful possession of a firearm in a place of residence, place of business, or on private property within 100 yards of an entrance (Section 2(a)(2)(C)).
-
Allowance for vehicle transport: Individuals can have a firearm in a vehicle within 100 yards of an entrance, provided the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished (Section 2(a)(2)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Criminal penalties for unauthorized possession: Anyone who knowingly possesses or causes a firearm to be present within 100 yards of a Federal election site entrance can be fined or imprisoned for up to 1 year (Section 2(a)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Gun Control Measures+8Improves Voting Rights+7Improves Voting Access+6Improves Second Amendment Protections-7
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Gun Owners-8
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Electoral Process+6Increases Federal Power+5Increase States Rights-4
- 5/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/17/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Gabe AmoDemocrat · Rhode Island
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia