Nevada Governor Vetoes Bill on Gun Ban at Election Sites
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo recently vetoed a proposed bill aimed at banning firearms at election locations, despite significant support for the measure among state residents. This decision has marked a setback in efforts to enhance the protection of voters and election workers against potential intimidation, leaving Nevada lagging behind states like Florida and Texas, where such protections are already in place.
The legislation, NV A.B. 105, sought to prohibit guns within 100 feet of polling places, central counting areas, and drop boxes. Organizations such as the Brennan Center and gun violence prevention groups have endorsed this policy, considering it essential for maintaining a safe democratic process. A 2025 survey by Everytown for Gun Safety indicated that 70 percent of Nevada voters believed firearms should be banned from polling sites. Nonetheless, this is not the first time Governor Lombardo has vetoed similar legislation, having previously done so in 2023.
The need for such a bill has been underscored by rising political violence and voter intimidation during recent election cycles, where firearms have been used to instill fear. For instance, in 2022, armed individuals from a right-wing militia group were observed near drop boxes in Arizona, causing distress among voters. In Nevada, following the 2020 election, individuals carrying firearms and dressed in military attire assembled outside a vote counting site in Las Vegas, chanting slogans like “Stop the steal.”
Governor Lombardo defended his decision by stating that the bill overlapped with existing laws. However, according to critics, Nevada’s current laws only criminalize intentional intimidation of voters and election workers, ignoring the broader intimidating effect that the presence of firearms can have, regardless of intent. Proponents of the bill argue that it would prevent any potential fear of gun violence from discouraging individuals from participating in the democratic process.
Meanwhile, several other states have taken proactive steps by banning firearms at polling locations. States such as Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas have had these laws in place for years. More recently, states like Colorado, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Vermont have enacted similar bans. The Supreme Court acknowledges polling locations as “sensitive locations,” where firearm restrictions are permissible under the Second Amendment.
As the nation continues to face threats of voter intimidation and gun violence, the debate on enacting protective measures at polling sites remains critical. The veto by Nevada’s governor has left a gap in ensuring the safety and confidence of voters and election staff in the state.
