Lee County voters question safety and legality of firearms at polling stations

Lee County voters are expressing concerns about safety and legality after election staff instructed poll workers to treat voters openly carrying firearms the same as any other voter. "I have not heard where they could bring in an armed firearm. So I'm quite surprised at this. And I'm definitely against it," said Patricia Wilson, a Lee County voter. Joseph Dinda, another voter, shared his unease about encountering armed individuals at polling stations. "It would make me think twice. I vote by mail. I'm fortunate that way. But if I came here and saw a number of people with guns or even one, I would turn around and walk away," Dinda said. Criminal justice attorney Michael Raheb addressed voters' concerns, providing legal perspective on the matter. "This particular case, we're talking about a polling area. You are prohibited from carrying a firearm. Now, people refer to the McDaniels case. The McDaniels case simply said the concept of a ban on open carry is unconstitutional. However, it didn't say you can carry it anywhere you want," Raheb said. The Lee County Elections Office confirmed its instructions to poll workers, stating they are to "treat a voter openly carrying a firearm in a passive manner, the same as any other voter." This has raised questions about whether such instructions comply with legal restrictions. "So basically, whether you had a permit or not, polling stations are restricted, whether you have a carry, which I do, or you don't, it's still restricted. I would never tell a client 100 percent take a gun, because I don't think it says it," Raheb said. The issue has left some voters reconsidering their involvement in elections due to safety concerns. "I was thinking about that, volunteering myself, and I would imagine that volunteering is not an easy job. And then if you have somebody come in with a gun, pistol, that would raise more concern," Dinda said. The office of Attorney General James Uthmeier and the state attorney were contacted for comment but have not responded. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.