(HB939)<font size=-1>
<p>GOVERNOR'S VETO</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<ul><p>Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of
Virginia, I veto House Bill 939, which prohibits possession of a firearm within
100 feet of locations used for certain voting-related and elections-related
activities.</p>

</ul><ul><p>Current law prohibits possessing a firearm within forty feet of
the entrance to a polling place. Additionally, the act of brandishing a weapon
is already a criminal offense.</p>

</ul><ul><p>This legislation proposes intricate time-and-place restrictions
on carrying firearms, potentially turning law-abiding citizens into
unintentional criminals if they are unaware of the presence of a ballot
drop-off box or an electoral board meeting.</p>

</ul><ul><p>The expanded election-related restrictions would necessitate
individuals to navigate around various locations permanently, regardless of
their purpose in the area; moreover, on specific days and during designated
hours, they would be obligated to avoid an extended list of locations to avoid
legal consequences. These restrictions could be in effect for up to forty-five
days in some years and one hundred thirty-five days or more in others.</p>

</ul><ul><p>&nbsp;</p>

</ul><ul><p>Accordingly, I veto this bill. &nbsp;</p>

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