Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) A person is guilty of possession of a weapon near an elections site when, knowing that such person is not permitted by law to do so, such person possesses a firearm or deadly weapon, as such terms are defined in section 53a-3 of the general statutes, within two hundred fifty feet of any (1) polling place on the day of an election, primary or referendum, (2) location designated for the conduct of early voting during the period of early voting at an election or primary, (3) location designated for same-day election registration on the day of a regular election, (4) central location designated for the counting of absentee ballots, early voting ballots or same-day election registration ballots at an election, primary or referendum, as applicable, (5) place where a recanvass is being conducted, or (6) drop box designated for the deposit of absentee ballots during the period beginning on the first day of issuance of absentee voting sets and ending at the close of the polls at an election, primary or referendum.
(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to the otherwise lawful possession of a firearm:
(1) On private property that is not part of any elections site described in subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section;
(2) That is (A) not loaded, and (B) in a locked container, or a locked firearms rack, that is on a motor vehicle;
(3) In the case of any elections site described in subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section that is in or on the real property comprising a public or private elementary or secondary school, by a person (A) for use in a program approved by school officials in or on such school property, (B) in accordance with an agreement entered into between school officials and such person or such person's employer, or (C) while traversing such school property for the purpose of gaining access to public or private lands open to hunting or for other lawful purposes, provided such firearm is not loaded and the entry on such school property is permitted by the local or regional board of education;
(4) By a peace officer, as defined in subdivision (9) of section 53a-3 of the general statutes, while engaged in the performance of such peace officer's official duties; and
(5) By a person passing within two hundred fifty feet of an elections site described in subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section only for as long as necessary to be within such two hundred fifty feet while on the way to a place or location other than such elections site.
(c) Possession of a weapon near an elections site is a class D felony.
