November 9, 2026 — Informational legislative update.
A Pennsylvania member of Congress has introduced a bill that would not ban firearms at polling places—but would treat a visible firearm near voters or election workers as presumed intimidation in a federal civil suit. For lawful carriers in Pennsylvania, the distinction matters.
On September 24, 2026, Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), joined by Rep. Raul Ruiz, introduced H.R. 10545, the “Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act.” The introduced text was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. As of this writing, available bill records show no committee hearing or further action.
What the bill actually does
H.R. 10545 amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It adds civil protections for election officials and workers, and it creates a new enforcement section titled “Enforcement Proceedings Concerning Intimidation Involving Firearms.”
In a suit to enforce the Act’s voter-intimidation provision, the bill states that a person “shall be presumed to have violated such section, in the absence of an affirmative showing to the contrary by a preponderance of the evidence,” if that person “displays or carries a visible firearm, imitation firearm, or antique firearm” while interacting with or observing another person who is:
- voting or attempting to vote;
- urging or aiding a person voting or attempting to vote; or
- exercising certain election-related powers or duties under the Act.
A matching presumption applies in suits involving intimidation of election officials and election workers when a visible firearm, imitation firearm, or antique firearm is displayed or carried while interacting with or observing someone administering elections, or because of that person’s status as an election participant.
That is a civil burden-shifting rule, not a new criminal offense and not a statutory ban on carry at the polls. The person carrying would have to rebut the presumption “by a preponderance of the evidence.”
Court orders and the National Guard carve-out
In those suits, a court “may grant appropriate relief, including placing reasonable temporary limits on the carrying of firearms by defendants.”
State and local law enforcement officers acting within the scope of their official duties are not subject to the presumption—though a court could still consider an officer’s firearm possession when deciding whether a violation occurred. The bill is explicit that nothing in that exception “may be construed as exempting a member of the National Guard from the presumption,” regardless of duty status, including service under a governor’s command and control.
The bill defines “firearm” and “antique firearm” by reference to federal criminal-code definitions, and it defines “imitation firearm” broadly to cover replicas, props, and certain air or blank-firing devices that a reasonable person could mistake for a firearm.
What it means for Pennsylvania gun owners
Many Pennsylvanians carry lawfully in daily life, including on Election Day where state and local rules allow it. This bill would not, by its text, outlaw that carry. It would, however, start a federal civil intimidation case from a presumption against a lawful carrier simply because a firearm—including an antique or a replica—was visible near voting or election work.
That is a meaningful shift. A holstered or briefly exposed firearm could become the factual hook for a presumption the carrier must then rebut. Separate from this proposal, Pennsylvania state law and polling-place rules—such as restrictions that already apply at schools used as polling places—continue to govern what is allowed on the ground.
Status and outlook
The introduced bill lists one cosponsor. It has been referred to Judiciary with no recorded committee action in the sources reviewed here. Unless passed, H.R. 10545 dies when the 119th Congress ends on January 3, 2027, unless it is reintroduced in the next Congress. Secondary reporting has described the same presumption and thin support; the controlling text remains the official introduced bill on GovInfo.
Bottom line: H.R. 10545 does not ban guns at the polls and does not create a new crime. It would create a civil presumption that a visible firearm, imitation firearm, or antique firearm near voters or election workers is intimidation—unless the carrier proves otherwise. Pennsylvania carriers should know the text, especially if a similar measure returns next Congress.
This article is informational, not legal advice. Bill text and status reviewed November 9, 2026 (ET).