Essay
“Voting and elections have become the targets of threats and intimidation just as the nation faces a proliferation of guns, more frequent gun violence, and fewer legal protections”. This was said in an article from Brennan Center for Justice. All legislators should vote yes on HF132 because, as a democratic state, elections rely on citizens to vote without fear, intimidation, or pressure.
Minnesota House File 132 aims to support this by banning both open and concealed carry of firearms and replica firearms within 100 feet of designated polling places, ballot drop boxes, and ballot counting centers during specific periods of time.
First, banning weapons near polling places reduces the risk of voters being threatened while voting. In times like this when there are more guns than citizens, it is imperative that we pass this bill to ensure fair voting and protect the younger voters who may not have guns yet. Secondly, when a gun is seen at an election, citizens may get scared and riled up. This causes delays in the election, sometimes the whole day. Gun owners who have a gun on their personnel, may not be within 100 feet of a designated polling place, unless when they are going to a permitted destination. The exception of this bill would be law enforcement officers, a lawfully owned carrier inside their residence, business, private property, and inside a car, as long as they do not brandish the firearm or step out with it.
Implementing HF132 would ensure a sense of security considering 42.8 out of every 100 people in MN own a gun, legally. Most polling places are generally based in densely populated areas, like city halls and public schools, though this could vary. Many states have already been putting restrictions on guns around voting. 31 states out of 50 states have some sort of regulation with guns, Minnesota has none. The Supreme court recognizes that states can regulate firearms near polling places without violating the 2nd amendment. A Pew research center survey taken after Charlie Kirk's assassination, shows us that 85% of people that were asked, say that political violence is increasing in America. If one person can get assassinated for their opinion, another person can too.
With the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, some people may not want to get into politics, because of what could happen. I can connect to this, because after his murder, I myself do not want to get into politics, with some of my family agreeing with me. With polling places being in populated areas, it is very easy to threaten a few people without raising suspicion, but a few votes could make a big difference in state elections. With 31 out of 50 states already having some sort of law preventing guns from polling places, it should be implemented in all 50 states, and we should be next.
Some people may disagree with this bill, arguing that this does in fact take away our 2nd amendment. They may say that they are actually making the place more safe, because when everyone has power, no one will. My cousin actually said that she thinks the 100 ft range is too large of a distance and could affect someone who wasn't even aware. In my opinion, I say there are greater things to spend tax payer dollars with. I think taxpayer dollars should go towards roads, infrastructure, jobs, healthcare and many more different things. But this bill will create a safer voting environment for all of us.
This bill will ban both open and concealed carry of firearms and replica firearms within 100 feet of designated polling places, ballot drop boxes, and ballot counting centers during specific periods of time. However, this does not apply to law enforcement, people on their property, and firearms in vehicles as long as the person does not brandish the firearm. With high gun ownership and rising political violence, ensuring voters can vote without fear is essential. The Supreme Court has given states the authority to make restrictions on guns around election sites, and more than 30 other states have already started. Even if some disagree with this bill, protecting election integrity and ensuring public safety is a must. For these reasons, legislators should vote yes on HF132.