The Colorado chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement after the Colorado House of Representatives passed HB22-1086, The Vote Without Fear Act, which will prohibit the open carry of firearms near polling locations and other electoral facilities. Moms Demand Action volunteers testified in support of the bill throughout the legislative process. HB22-1086 now moves to the Colorado Senate.
“We’re grateful that our state continues to lead in the gun safety movement and advanced this critical bill to protect Coloradans and our democratic process from armed intimidation,” said Jessica Price, a volunteer with the Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Allowing anyone to openly carry firearms near polling places intimidates voters, emboldens extremists, and puts Coloradans in potentially dangerous situations. The Senate should swiftly follow the House’s lead, and prioritize this bill.”
Colorado’s current law generally prohibits the carrying of a firearm on property or within a building where legislative hearings or meetings are held. HB22-1086 would extend this prohibition to other facilities critical to the functioning of our democracy during the electoral process by prohibiting the open carry of firearms near polling locations and other vote counting facilities.
From January 2020 through June 2021 there were 560 documented armed demonstrations in the United States. 1 in 6 of those occurred on the grounds of government buildings like statehouses or vote counting facilities. Learn more about gun violence in Colorado here.