Two more states have passed bills restricting guns at polling places since The Trace reported in March that several States were considering such measures.

Colorado, which already banned the open carry of firearms at polling places, expanded its ban to cover concealed weapon possession. In Massachusetts, a new law prohibits anyone from possessing a firearm within 150 feet of a polling place.

The moves reflect growing concern over shootings and voter intimidation as an election season already punctuated by violence draws to a tumultuous end.

Department of Justice Election Threat Task Force charge two people on October 21 for threatening to harm or kill election workers. One of the suspects was a Pennsylvania man accused of sending death threats via text message to a party official who was recruiting volunteer observers — a common practice in every election.

Police arrested an Arizona man a day later for allegedly firing several shots at a Democratic Party campaign office in Tempe. Prosecutors said the man had more than 120 guns and more than 250,000 rounds of ammunition in his home, leading them to believe he was planning a mass shooting.

On October 28, polls opened in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. set fire with what law enforcement described as incendiary devices.

“There is no doubt that political violence is on the rise,” said Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, which tracks election-related extremist activity. “The fewer weapons we bring into this environment, the better off everyone involved in making this election is going to be.” »

The Colorado and Massachusetts measures were among 10 restrictions on guns at polling places states were considering this year. Six of those bills – in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Vermont – did not come to a final vote. Legislation to expand Virginia’s ban radius from 40 to 100 feet passed both houses of the General Assembly, but was vetoed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who expressed concerns about the second amendment.

California has already banned guns at polling places, but in September Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill allowing voters to sue violators for intimidation.