H.R. 7965 — Vote Without Fear Act

This section establishes a new criminal offense (18 U.S.C. §935) prohibiting the knowing possession or presence of a firearm in, or within 100 yards of an entrance to, a federal election site—defined as a building or part thereof where a U.S., state, or local employee administers a polling place or processes or counts ballots in an election for federal office—punishable by a fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. Exceptions apply to (1) law enforcement officers or authorized private security guards on duty; (2) firearms in vehicles not removed or brandished; and (3) otherwise lawful possession in a residence, place of business, or on private property. A heightened penalty of imprisonment for not more than five years applies if the possession is with intent to commit a crime, and killings during such violations or firearm attacks on federal election sites are punished under existing homicide statutes (18 U.S.C. §§1111, 1112, 1113, 1117). This section also makes a conforming amendment to the table of sections for chapter 44 of title 18, U.S. Code.