HB-5448 An Act Concerning Security of Certain Election Workers and Election-Related Locations (2024)

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HB-5448 An Act Concerning Security of Certain Election Workers and Election-Related Locations

Raised Bill [doc]

Public Hearing 03/13

Statement of Purpose:

To (1) allow certain election workers to request that their residential addresses be exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, (2) establish a criminal prohibition on the possession of a firearm or deadly weapon within one thousand feet of certain election-related locations, and (3) establish a criminal prohibition on, and a civil cause of action for, threatening or harassing

See the following new statute language being proposed. Appears to ban possession of a firearm or deadly weapon within 1,000 feet of a polling place, if not licensed or privileged to do so.

Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) A person is guilty of possession of a weapon near an elections site when, knowing that such person is not licensed or privileged to do so, such person possesses a firearm or deadly weapon, as defined in section 53a-3 of the general statutes, within one thousand feet of any (1) polling place on the day of an election, primary or referendum, (2) location designated for the conduct of early voting during the period of early voting prior to an election or primary, (3) location designated for same-day election registration on the day of a regular election, (4) central location designated for the counting of absentee ballots, early voting ballots or same-day election registration ballots at an election, primary or referendum, as applicable, (5) place where a recanvass is being conducted, or (6) drop box designated for the deposit of absentee ballots during the period beginning on the first day of issuance of absentee voting sets and ending at the close of the polls at an election, primary or referendum.

(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to the otherwise lawful possession of a firearm by a peace officer, as defined in subdivision (9) of section 53a-3 of the general statutes, while engaged in the performance of such peace officer’s official duties.

(c) Possession of a weapon near an elections site is a class D felony.

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From CCDL:

Polling Places to be Gun Free Zones!

HB5448 - AN ACT CONCERNING SECURITY OF CERTAIN ELECTION WORKERS AND ELECTIONS-RELATED LOCATIONS

Lawmakers in Hartford have decided you do not need to protect yourself if you are within 1,000 feet of a polling location. We have to act fast as the deadline for submitting testimony is TODAY!

Opposing this bill is important for a variety of reasons:

  • 1,000 feet is almost ¼ mile and could easily create felons out of unsuspecting and otherwise law-abiding gun owners.
  • If polling locations and the 1,000-foot radius around them are deemed dangerous, the state is only creating potential victims by disarming citizens.
  • This “sensitive location” ban is widely controversial and likely unconstitutional under the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision.

You need to ACT NOW and let the Government Administrations and Elections Committee know that we will not allow them to impede on our right to carry a firearm.

Those interested in testifying in person or via zoom must register before 3:00pm using this link.

Everyone needs to take 5 minutes out of your day TODAY and submit testimony here by choosing hearing date 3/13/2024 11:00AM and selecting bill HB05448 - AAC AN ACT CONCERNING SECURITY OF CERTAIN ELECTION WORKERS AND ELECTIONS-RELATED LOCATIONS.

We also need members to contact legislators on the Government Administrations and Elections Committee individually as well.

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Inventing a law to solve a problem that does not exist. Just part of the power grab that leads us to into bondage.

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This bill received a Joint Favorable Substitute vote to move it out of the committee. This means some portion of the bill was changed. The new substitute bill hasn’t been publicly posted to the bill’s web page yet. Will add it when it is posted.
https://cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB-5448

Bill History
3/22/2024 (GAE) Joint Favorable Substitute

Committee Actions
GAE Vote Tally Sheet-A
GAE Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)

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Per a CCDL email:

Thank you to everyone who has submitted testimony on proposed House Bill No. 5448 - AN ACT CONCERNING SECURITY OF CERTAIN ELECTION WORKERS AND ELECTIONS-RELATED LOCATIONS.

With limited time to act, we were able to submit over 500 written testimonies expressing opposition to this over-reaching ban on the possession of firearms near a polling location. Due to this overwhelming response, the bill has already been amended moving the 1,000 foot radius to 250 feet, among other changes. Still, this bill is unacceptable and we will continue to fight it.

We are seeking the removal the section 2 in its entirety. Since passing the Government Administration and Election committee, the bill has remained stagnant and not continued to proceed through the legislative process. We are watching this carefully and will be issuing an action alert when this bill is slated for discussion.

Please BE ON THE LOOKOUT for an email from CCDL to write your legislators and stop this bill in its tracks.

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Some updates on this anti gun bill. The update joint favorable substitute bill has been posted. Links below. Further links to the Joint Favorable report is also linked below. New Sec 2 language, still bad, also posted below. They dropped the 1,000 foot to 250 feet. They did add an exemption for private property not part of election site and if firearm is not loaded, in locked container in a motor vehicle, along with some language about school property (public/private).

H.B. No. 5448 AN ACT CONCERNING SECURITY OF CERTAIN ELECTION WORKERS AND ELECTIONS-RELATED LOCATIONS.

GAE Joint Favorable Substitute [doc]

GAE Joint Fav. Rpt

Revised Sec 2 language:

Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) A person is guilty of possession of a weapon near an elections site when, knowing that such person is not permitted by law to do so, such person possesses a firearm or deadly weapon, as such terms are defined in section 53a-3 of the general statutes, within two hundred fifty feet of any (1) polling place on the day of an election, primary or referendum, (2) location designated for the conduct of early voting during the period of early voting at an election or primary, (3) location designated for same-day election registration on the day of a regular election, (4) central location designated for the counting of absentee ballots, early voting ballots or same-day election registration ballots at an election, primary or referendum, as applicable, (5) place where a recanvass is being conducted, or (6) drop box designated for the deposit of absentee ballots during the period beginning on the first day of issuance of absentee voting sets and ending at the close of the polls at an election, primary or referendum.

(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to the otherwise lawful possession of a firearm:

(1) On private property that is not part of any elections site described in subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section;

(2) That is (A) not loaded, and (B) in a locked container, or a locked firearms rack, that is on a motor vehicle;

(3) In the case of any elections site described in subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section that is in or on the real property comprising a public or private elementary or secondary school, by a person (A) for use in a program approved by school officials in or on such school property, (B) in accordance with an agreement entered into between school officials and such person or such person’s employer, or (C) while traversing such school property for the purpose of gaining access to public or private lands open to hunting or for other lawful purposes, provided such firearm is not loaded and the entry on such school property is permitted by the local or regional board of education;

(4) By a peace officer, as defined in subdivision (9) of section 53a-3 of the general statutes, while engaged in the performance of such peace officer’s official duties; and

(5) By a person passing within two hundred fifty feet of an elections site described in subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section only for as long as necessary to be within such two hundred fifty feet while on the way to a place or location other than such elections site.

(c) Possession of a weapon near an elections site is a class D felony.

Edit to add: Two additional documents posted.

Fiscal Note For File Copy 414

Bill Analysis For File Copy 414

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Bill has been sent to the Judiciary Committee today (4/16/24).

4/16/2024 Referred by House to Committee on Judiciary

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Possible Victory on HB 5448 (Gun Free Zone Election Locations): The Gun Free Zone Language Reportedly Removed (04/23/24)

Yesterday it appears the Judiciary committee stripped out section 2 from the HB 5448 Bill. Section 2 was the section that setup 250 foot gun free zone around many location related to elections.

CCDL has posted a short video clip on Facebook of Rep. Blumenthal indicating during the judiciary session yesterday that section 2 would be removed from the bill.

The revised bill has yet to be posted.

https://cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB-5448

Edit to add: See the following CT-N video at appox the 54 minute mark to see Rep. Blumenthal discuss then make a motion to remove Sec. 2 in it’s entirety from the bill:
http://ct-n.com/ctnplayer.asp?odID=23034&jump=0:54:30

One can listen to several Democrats talk about wanting more gun control and wanting to revisit it at a later time.