FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 22, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT:
Alyson Malinger, West End Strategy Team
amalinger@westendstrategy.com; (917) 935-7311
Gun Violence Prevention Advocates Celebrate Advancement of Bill Prohibiting Firearms at Polling Places in Colorado
In support of democracy, EFSGV calls on Governor Polis to sign HB22-1086
DENVER— Gun violence prevention advocates at the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence celebrated Colorado General Assembly passage of the Vote Without Fear Act yesterday, legislation that would prohibit a person from openly carrying a firearm within any polling location or central count facility, or within 100 feet of a ballot drop box or any building in which a polling location or central count facility is located.
Advocates applauded this historic success in preventing armed intimidation and preserving democracy within the state.
Lisa Geller, State Affairs Manager at the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence said:
“The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence is thrilled to see strong steps Colorado is taking to protect the fundamental right to vote with the advancement of the Vote Without Fear Act. This bill would prohibit any person possessing a firearm within 100 feet of a polling place or an election board while the results of an election are being ascertained or recounted. If signed into law, this measure would protect an essential function of our democracy and allow people to exercise their constitutional rights free of coercion or fear.
“Voting is a fundamental right and we cannot allow armed intimidation at polling places or in response to political disagreements. The current threat that armed militia and other extremists pose to our democracy is built upon years of systemic racism and voter suppression and the deadly combination of guns and hate.
“We look forward to our continued partnership with the Colorado lawmakers who sponsored this bill as we work to advance additional efforts to create safe and secure public spaces.”
If you are interested in speaking further with representatives of the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence about the Vote Without Fear Act, or the organization’s ongoing work to prohibit public carry in sensitive spaces, please contact Alyson Malinger at amalinger@westendstrategy.com and (917) 935-7311.
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The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence (EFSGV) develops and advocates for evidence-based solutions to reduce gun injury and death in all its forms. EFSGV uses a public health and equity lens to identify and implement evidence-based policy solutions and programs to reduce gun violence in all its forms and to make gun violence rare and abnormal. EFSGV is the founder of the Consortium for Risk-Based Firearm Policy, a group of academics and practitioners who collaborate to develop innovative recommendations for policymakers.
