Should guns (concealed or open) be permitted at polling stations? Would you be a poll worker? Would you feel safer voting there?

[DrPepper12]

Some Arguments FOR Banning Guns at Polling Places:

Prevent Intimidation and Violence: Proponents argue that banning guns helps prevent voter intimidation and potential violence, especially amid heightened political tensions and misinformation.

Protect Election Workers:
Bans are seen as a way to protect election workers from threats and ensure a safe voting environment.

Constitutional Justification:
Polling places are considered "sensitive areas" where restrictions on firearms are constitutionally supported.

Loitering:
Concerns about armed voters loitering at polling places have been raised as it is almost impossible legally to charge people with trespassing or loitering at a polling station.

Some Arguments AGAINST Banning Guns at Polling Places:

Second Amendment Rights: Opponents argue that such bans infringe on Second Amendment rights and do not necessarily enhance safety.

Existing Laws Suffice:
Some believe existing laws are adequate to handle any issues without additional restrictions.

Potential for Increased Crime: Critics suggest that disallowing guns could create "mass-murderer empowerment zones," potentially increasing vulnerability to crime.

Info About Polling Stations:

Vast majority of polling stations in the USA are located in schools, churches, sports halls, local government offices, and sometimes private homes.

Additionally, polling places can be found in community centers, large meeting rooms, gymnasiums, and other municipal buildings

Guns SHOULD be banned at polling stations nationwide

Guns SHOULD NOT be banned at polling stations anywhere.

Guns at polling stations should be decided state by state

Guns at polling stations should be decided on a county by county basis

The poll workers at each of the 95K station should decide

[WhiteSteve]

Tell you what, if I was in a swing state, I’d be working the polls, hoping MAGA folks single me out after the fact and falsely accuse me of election interference, blow me up on the internet, and I could get in on some of that sweet, sweet civil suit money from Trump😝

In seriousness, I’d probably say no, just on the strength of its being held in a municipal building, very often a school. Obviously the kids aren’t there, but I think America would just generally do well to spend FEWER hours out of a day walking around armed.

[DrPepper12]

Yeah the schools are a BIG NO from me.

[MisterWack]

Let’s just admit regardless of political party, I’m sure having a gun would make anyone feel uncomfortable. It isn’t like you are going to a war zone, if you feel threatened enough to bring your weapon with you like a security blanket to calm you down then vote at home via mail in. When you bring your weapon, you are afraid and want protection.

[DrPepper12]

I agree. It's very presence is unsettling in that forum.

[MisterWack]

@DrPepper12 Yes exactly though I take it one step further. I see it as a child needing his/her blanket to follow them wherever they go as a form of comfort. Though if they are so insecure about their vote being counted, do mail in since that is what our veterans and Trump utilize to make their voices heard. I don’t care about political party, I just don’t want people to be shot due to someone’s insecurities and believing they are some sort of “soldier” bringing peace to this Wild West town because in reality these people are there for the same reason TO VOTE! Just because you feel insecure about making others voices heard doesn’t mean you get to intimidate and silence them.

[Gwendoline]

As a non-american it seems like these gun free zones are magnets for mass shootings.

I think as long as you can freely walk into a voting station and anonymously cast your vote that should be enough.

What should be done is tackling the lines to vote, that probably puts off more people than anything.

[DrPepper12]

Yeah. Politicians choose the how and who around here and chose their own constituents depending on who's in the majority. It's twisted and dystopian.

[Gwendoline]

I know in England there is big controversy about the voting system. Reform UK won 14% of votes yet ended up with only 5 of the 650 seats in the house of commons and the Liberal Democrats got 12% of the vote yet ended up with 72 out 650 seats. Something clearly wrong there.

[NaultD]

Isn't polling places more or less volunteered. Historically schools was super common but recent scares they stopped volunteering. My last voting place was a hunting store with open carry the norm.

So when in Rome. Is my final answer. At the same time I don't think civilian vigilante should be a thing.

[Avicenna]

Is there federal or state case law on this issue? Anything statutory under the Voting Rights Act, for example?

[DrPepper12]

I don't know good question!

[exitseven]

should be banned. Why take the chance somebody would get mad at a Trump supporter and start accosting him on the way out and things get out of hand.

[DrPepper12]

Agreed. Too much potential to play stupid games...

[BoopBoopBeep]

Just because it's a Gun-Free Zone doesn't mean it's gun-free now.

[Anonymous]

Guns SHOULD be banned at polling stations nationwide

[Juxtapose]

Gunfree zones are murder zones.

[DrPepper12]

But the VAST majority are schools WHILE schools are in session!!

[Juxtapose]

Make gun clubs great again 👍

[DrPepper12]

My HS closed them in mid 70s. There's no WAY you would find an underwriter for that today!!

[Juxtapose]

Let's bring them back.