We are in support of having space between guns and polling places in order to keep our community safe.

I am a member of Virginia Moms for Change. We support having space between guns and the places where Virginians vote and determine the results of elections.

I am a member of Virginia Moms for Change. We support having space between guns and the places where Virginians vote and determine the results of elections.

I am a member of Virginia Moms for Change. We support having space between guns and the places where Virginians vote and determine the results of elections

“I am a member of Virginia Moms for Change. We support having space between guns and the places where Virginians vote and determine the results of elections.”

I am a member of Virginia Moms for Change. We support having space between guns and the places where Virginians vote and determine the results of elections.

I am a member of Virginia Moms for Change. We support having space between guns and the places where Virginians vote and determine the results of elections.

I am a member of Virginia Moms for Change. We support having space between guns and the places where Virginians vote and determine the results of elections.

I am a member of Virginia Moms for Change. We support having space between guns and the places where Virginians vote and determine the results of elections.

I am a member of Virginia Moms for Change. We support having space between guns and the places where Virginians vote and determine the results of elections.

Guns are very threatening. Having space between guns and polling places is a good idea.

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The League of Women Voters supports HB 939 and HB 1023. Certain activities or conduct, such as electioneering or carrying a firearm within 40 feet of a polling place are currently prohibited because they can intimidate or harass voters and/or officers of election. The same prohibitions should apply wherever voters may cast their ballots in person or drop off their completed ballots. The combined bill would provide the necessary extension of existing law to locations in which ballots are processed and counted. We urge you to report the bill.

My spouse has worked as an election volunteer for many years. I am a former Navy combat fighter pilot and now a senior airline captain who has been involved in aviation safety for over 20 years. I am an expert in safety management systems, investigations, and am a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. I am also a Federal Flight Deck officer, credentialed to carry a weapon myself. HB 939 is essential for mitigating the risk of death or serious injury to both election workers and the voters that visit the polling stations. Security in elections should be no different than at airports. There is no need for anyone besides clearly identifiable and credentialed local, state, or Federal law enforcement officers to be in possession of a firearm, period. As the horrific trend in firearm deaths continues to climb in this country, we simply must act to mitigate this danger. In every professional field, creating rules and legislation that create barriers where preconditions for unsafe acts exist is considered an industry best practice. To not do so is considered reckless. The mere visible presence of a gun intimates its use as a threat of deadly force. Far too many people consider this to be an acceptable use of intimidation and have little regard for the consequences it brings, neither for themselves nor for other people. Seeing mad, angry white men cosplaying the military while brandishing weapons provides a clear indication that a mass shooting can be only seconds away. Let me be clear, this is not professional, responsible, or in any way masculine or patriotic, it is childish, immature, and selfish. It is with all my experience as a Federal Officer, combat fighter pilot, and experienced airline captain that I give my highest possible support for the passage of this bill to expand the gun free zone around our public polling stations. To not support this measure would be reckless in any professional measure of safety. Thank you.

I support this important bill. Voters must traverse the parking lot, curb, surrounding lawn, and sidewalk before gaining entrance to the polling place, then cross the same space when leaving. Voters should not have to encounter a stranger with a gun and unknown intentions and background on their way in to vote, or out to get back to their car. This is intimidating and designed to instill fear, discouraging voting and the use of the polling site for other legitimate purposes. In November, we had a mentally ill man with a gun outside the Registrar’s office for several weeks during the early voting period. He shouted and harassed voters, arguing and standing in their way as they tried to enter and leave. He later moved to a library used as an early voting satellite site, exhibiting the same disruptive, harassing, intimidating behavior. Although they received daily complaints from voters about his behavior, the Chief and election officials at the site refused to require the mentally ill man with a gun to leave, because he was outside the 40 foot limit set out in current law. (The man did periodically teasingly step over the 40 foot line with one foot, while keeping the gun on his other hip just outside the line.) Extending the line where firearms are prohibited to 100 feet would alleviate this problem to some extent, giving election officials a clear standard by which to enforce the limit. This would keep voters, their families, the elderly, and children more safe from those who inexplicably choose to bring a firearm into this safe, protected space. It would encourage voting, teach the young about the importance of voting, and allow the use of the library and other public spaces for safe activities by the general public. Please pass HB 939. Thank you.

I'm a volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and I support this bill.

Comments Document

Hello Honorable Delegates: I am a strong supporter of HB939. I would be in support even if I hadn’t had this experience. I volunteered in early voting for 3 weeks. A candidate running in my district every day was wearing a gun. For 3 weeks he harassed me by approaching me and picking on my appearance, clothes, etc. I was the first to report this to the Director of Elections and they said he’s legal, and n one else complained. After that day, many voters called Elections to complain about the man with the gun. No matter that he stood 6 feet from the absentee ballot box. I also called the police and told them he was shouting at every person “I’m the only Independent in Virginia Beach…” and more. I thought he had mental problems. I am a Psychologist. The police told me he was ok. The following weeks I was at Kempsville Library, and so was he. I kept telling him to stay away from me and stop talking to me. He said he could talk to anyone he wanted. He got in a shouting match with 2 voters and my colleague asked the Head Librarian to call police. After the voters left, this candidate told my colleague that if they had touched him, he would have shot them! Obviously his gun was loaded. After that, deputies came every day for support, and my colleagues were very helpful snd supportive. His behavior triggered an old trauma that had me reeling and anxious, but I persevered. Very unpleasant. One deputy told me he was trying to intimidate voters. Please vote YES on HB 939. Thank you.