Bill Would Prevent Convicted Stalkers and Abusers from Purchasing Firearms

WASHINGTON – Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1), Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI-6), and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) have joined together to introduce the Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act—a consequential bipartisan, bicameral proposal that will close a longstanding gap in federal law which has endangered survivors of domestic violence and stalking for decades.

Under current law, individuals convicted of domestic violence against a spouse are prohibited from possessing firearms, but the same restriction does not consistently apply to abusive dating partners or convicted stalkers—a dangerous disparity known as the “boyfriend loophole.” This legislation would finally correct that inequity by aligning statutory protections with the lived realities of survivors.

“If someone has been convicted of stalking or abusing their partner, they should never be allowed to buy a gun. That’s common sense. But unfortunately, loopholes in federal law still put survivors at risk," said Fitzpatrick. "This bill closes those gaps, ensuring all violent offenders are held to the same standard—spouse, boyfriend, or otherwise. I’ve long made combatting domestic violence and stalking a priority and will continue advancing policies to guarantee every survivor is protected.”

“Federal law includes a “boyfriend loophole” that allows abusive dating partners subject to protection orders and convicted stalkers to access firearms. This loophole is a serious danger that has cost lives and will continue to do so until we address it,” said Dingell. “I know this fear all too well. Growing up, I lived in a house with a man – my father – who should not have had access to a gun. No child, spouse, or partner should have to experience the trauma my family did. This legislation will close this loophole once and for all by ensuring abusive dating partners subject to protection orders and convicted stalkers cannot get their hands on a firearm. Perpetrators of violence – including dating partners – should not be able to access a firearm, and I will not stop fighting until we can deliver on this promise.”

“The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act included provisions from my bill to close the boyfriend loophole, but there is still more we need to do to address gun violence and keep firearms out of the hands of abusive dating partners and convicted stalkers,” said Klobuchar. “As a former prosecutor, I have seen firsthand the serious emotional and physical toll stalking takes on victims, especially when guns are involved. By preventing convicted stalkers from purchasing guns, our common sense legislation will protect victims and help save lives.”

Key Provisions of the Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act:

• Firearm Prohibitions for Convicted Stalkers: Prohibits individuals convicted of misdemeanor stalking offenses from purchasing or possessing firearms.
• Equal Treatment for Abusive Dating Partners: Clarifies that dating partners subject to qualifying restraining orders are treated the same as abusive spouses under federal firearms law.
• Updated Definitions of “Dating Relationship”: Modernizes the statutory definition to encompass individuals who have been in a serious or intimate relationship, irrespective of when that relationship occurred —ensuring survivors cannot be excluded by arbitrary time limitations.

Fitzpatrick’s Leadership in Protecting Survivors

This legislation builds on Congressman Fitzpatrick’s longstanding leadership in advancing bipartisan reforms to safeguard women and children from violence. Fitzpatrick was instrumental in securing the historic reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which included Kayden’s Law—landmark legislation he authored in memory of Kayden Mancuso, a young girl from Pennsylvania’s First Congressional District whose life was tragically taken by domestic violence.

Broad Support for the Bill

This legislative framework responds directly to extensive research demonstrating that access to firearms by domestic abusers increases the likelihood of homicide by up to 500%.

The bill is supported by a diverse coalition of leading domestic violence and gun safety organizations, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline, National Network to End Domestic Violence, Moms Demand Action, GIFFORDS, Jewish Women International, and Legal Momentum.

“Survivors of dating violence and stalking deserve the full protection of the law, regardless of their relationship status. For too long, a dangerous loophole has allowed abusive partners and stalkers who are not married to their victims to access firearms, despite posing clear threats to survivor safety," said NNEDV President and CEO, Stephanie Love-Patterson. "This gap in our laws has had deadly consequences. Abuse is abuse, whether it happens within a marriage or not. Every survivor deserves safety, justice, and the opportunity to rebuild their life free from fear. We applaud Representatives Dingell and Fitzpatrick, and Senator Klobuchar, for their leadership and for taking this critical step toward saving lives.”

“Victims and survivors of domestic violence in any intimate or dating relationship, regardless of marital status, are vulnerable to the threat of firearms. Every day, the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) hears from those whose abusive experiences include the use of firearms to threaten, coerce, and control them. And tragically, thousands of victims have lost their lives by firearms,” said Marium Durrani, Vice President of Policy at The Hotline. “We applaud the incredible bipartisan dedication of these Members of Congress to finally close these dangerous loopholes to better protect victims and survivors from gun violence and we urge Congress to act— lives are on the line.”

“Letting abusers keep their guns is a death sentence for too many women—especially Black women," said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. "This bill is a life-saving solution, and we’re proud to support its reintroduction. We can’t claim to care about families and freedom while ignoring the deadly intersection of domestic violence and firearms.”

"Our laws have big loopholes in them that make it easier for domestic abusers to get guns and have very real consequences for victims of domestic violence and stalking. This is an unacceptable and dangerous reality that puts the lives of women and children at risk across the country," said Emma Brown, Executive Director at GIFFORDS. "95% of Americans support blocking domestic abusers from having guns, including 94% of Republicans. We are grateful to Senator Klobuchar and Representatives Debbie Dingell and Brian Fitzpatrick for their steadfast leadership on this issue."

“The risk of a woman being killed by her intimate partner increases 400% when that partner has access to a firearm. But most victims of intimate partner violence are dating partners and under current law do not have the same protections from armed abusers as married survivors do," said Meredith Jacobs, CEO of Jewish Women International. "Jewish Women International applauds Representatives Debbie Dingell and Brian Fitzpatrick and Senator Amy Klobuchar for re-introducing legislation that will fully close the dating and stalking loopholes and for their ongoing leadership to disarm domestic abusers.”

“For far too long, survivors of dating violence and stalking have been left exposed by a glaring weakness in our gun safety laws—the so-called ‘boyfriend loophole.’ This bipartisan legislation represents a long-overdue step toward protecting all survivors, regardless of relationship status. By finally closing this loophole, we can stop known abusers from accessing deadly weapons and interrupt the cycle of violence before it escalates further,” said Azaleea Carlea, Legal Director of Legal Momentum. “The data is undeniable: when abusers have access to firearms, the risk of homicide increases fivefold. The link between guns and lethality in intimate partner violence is not just well-documented, it’s devastatingly clear and our laws must reflect this reality. Legal Momentum strongly supports this legislation because no survivor should be left unprotected simply because the law failed to recognize their relationship or the threats they face. Safety should never depend on a legal technicality."

Background:

Research consistently demonstrates that access to firearms dramatically increases the lethality of domestic violence. More than half of women murdered with a gun in the United States are killed by intimate partners. Yet federal law has long failed to uniformly protect survivors from abusive dating partners and convicted stalkers.

The Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act builds on prior progress in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act by ensuring that every survivor—regardless of relationship status—is afforded equal protection under the law.

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