{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ahead-of-midterms-murphy-introduces-legislation-to-keep-voters-and-election-workers-safe-from-guns-at-the-polls", "Ahead of Midterms, Murphy Introduces Legislation to Keep Voters and Election Workers Safe from Guns at the Polls", "2022-09-28", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "CT", "Christopher Murphy", "M001169", "www.murphy.senate.gov", "chrismurphy", "https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2013Ahead of the upcoming election and early voting period, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Wednesday introduced the Vote Without Fear Act, legislation to prevent armed voter intimidation at the polls. The legislation would prohibit the possession of a firearm within 100 yards of any federal election site, with exceptions for on-duty law enforcement or security guards. Only six states \u2013 Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas \u2013 and the District of Columbia currently ban guns at the polls while instances of private citizens bringing guns to polling places as well as threats against election workers are both on the rise.\n\n\u201cAt the foundation of American democracy is the right to make your voice heard. Free and fair elections cannot happen occur in the face of armed intimidation at the polls, but that\u2019s become a disturbing reality for some Americans, as extremists driven by conspiracy theories about voter fraud are increasingly showing up to polling places with guns. This legislation will ensure voters and election workers continue to feel safe participating in the democratic process,\u201d said Murphy.\n\nU.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) co-sponsored the legislation.\n\n\u201cArmed voter intimidation poses a serious threat not only to public safety, but to our democracy. These incidents of violent extremism are on the rise and are only anticipated to worsen as we enter the election season. Every American should be able to safely cast their vote in the absence of fear. I am proud to support this commonsense legislation and thank my colleague, Senator Murphy, for leading the charge,\u201d said Blumenthal.\n\n\u201cThe ballot box is our democracy\u2019s first line of defense and the last place an American should ever have to worry for their safety or feel intimidated,\u201d said Markey. \u201cI am proud to join my colleague Senator Murphy in introducing the Vote Without Fear Act as we continue our shared fight to end the gun violence epidemic.\u201d\n\n\u201cVoters should be able to cast their ballots free from intimidation and poll workers should be able to feel safe while fulfilling their important roles,\u201d said Shaheen. \u201cThis legislation is an important step toward making sure all citizens feel secure at their polling place on election day.'\n\n\u201cVoters should be able to cast their ballots free of fear or intimidation from someone brandishing a gun. Our bill protects public safety and the integrity of our elections by keeping firearms away from our polling places,\u201d said Feinstein.\n\n\"Every American should be able to vote without the threat of violence that comes with the brandishing of a weapon. Guns have no business at polling places in a fair and just democracy. We thank Senator Murphy for his commitment to upholding public safety and allowing voters to exercise their constitutional rights without the fear of being shot,\u201d said Adzi Vokhiwa, Federal Affairs Director, Giffords.\n\n\u201cArmed intimidation at election sites disenfranchises voters and suppresses votes. Newtown Action Alliance is proud to support a legislation that will promote safe and free elections for all American voters,\u201d said Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance.\n\n\u201cThe right to cast a ballot safely and free from intimidation is fundamental to our democracy,\u201d said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of ADL (the Anti-Defamation League). \u201cThis bill is welcomed, as we continue to track potential threats of violence targeting the upcoming midterm election. We thank Senator Murphy for his leadership on this issue and urge the Senate to move swiftly to pass this crucial legislation.\u201d\n\n\"No one should ever feel threatened while exercising their right to vote, but the presence of a firearm at the polls creates fear and intimidation \u2014 whether intended or not. This type of voter suppression is a grave threat to our democracy and as we\u2019ve seen increases in armed intimidation across the country, taking preventative action is more important than ever. Brady thanks Senator Murphy for championing this common-sense policy that will protect the constitutional right to freely participate in our nation\u2019s elections,\u201d said Brady President Kris Brown.\n\n\u201cArmed intimidation at the polls is a Jim Crow-style voter suppression tactic, and we must not tolerate it. We thank Senator Murphy for introducing the Vote Without Fear Act, which will protect voters \u2014 and our democracy \u2014 from violent extremists,\u201d said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety.\n\n\u201cThe name of this legislation speaks for itself. No American should have to fear gun violence when exercising their right to vote. Our civic prerogatives should not be tainted by the threat of bullets, and we applaud Senator Murphy for introducing this commonsense safety measure,\u201d said Lisa Gilbert, executive vice president, Public Citizen\n\nFull text of the bill is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ahead-of-midterms-murphy-introduces-legislation-to-keep-voters-and-election-workers-safe-from-guns-at-the-polls"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 11.523589957505465, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}