Whitehouse Introduces Bicameral Bill Creating Alert System to Notify Survivors of Illegal Gun Purchase Attempts by Domestic Abusers

Bicameral Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act would help ensure domestic violence survivors are notified when an abusive partner is trying to obtain a firearm illegally

Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has introduced the Domestic Violence Survivors Alerted for Emergency (SAFE) Notice Act, new legislation to establish notification systems that would alert survivors of domestic violence offenses when their domestic abuser attempts to purchase a firearm illegally.

Loopholes in federal and state law can allow domestic violence offenders to purchase guns notwithstanding their criminal history - situations that can be life threatening for survivors. Even when offenders are unsuccessful, the fact they are trying to purchase a firearm illegally can be a warning sign for survivors. The Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act would help keep survivors safe by setting up systems to notify domestic violence survivors when an abusive partner has obtained or is trying to obtain a firearm illegally.

"I spent years prosecuting domestic violence cases in Rhode Island, and I know the toll it can take on survivors as they rebuild their lives. This legislation will help ensure survivors are made aware when the government has information about an abuser's attempt to buy a firearm, so survivors and their loved ones can make decisions in the interest of their own safety and wellbeing," said Senator Whitehouse, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and former Rhode Island Attorney General and U.S. Attorney.

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) led the introduction of legislation in the House of Representatives. The legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).

The Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act has been endorsed by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Sojourner House, Family Service of Rhode Island, Women's Resource Center RI, Day One, and the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General.

"Keeping victims safe at every stage of the justice process is a top priority for my Office," said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. "With the support of our federal partners, we are continuing to expand the resources available to victims to ensure they remained informed of updates to case information in real time. When convicted perpetrators of domestic violence try to get their hands on a firearm, they demonstrate a consistent willingness to break the law, which poses a real risk to survivors. This legislation is an investment in the safety of survivors, and we would happily welcome this vital resource."

"When a person who uses violence to gain power and control over their family has access to a gun, the results are too often tragic. Women in abusive relationships are five times more likely to be murdered by their partners when that partner can access a firearm. Even the threat of using a gun is a terrifying coercive control tactic often used by abusers. We are thankful that Rhode Island's Senator Whitehouse, along with Representative Dingell in the U.S. House, have sponsored this legislation to close lethal loopholes faced by survivors of intimate partner abuse who are threatened with gun violence," said Lucy Rios, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

"Leaving an abusive relationship doesn't always end a dangerous situation. At Sojourner House, we help survivors rebuild their lives while navigating ongoing threats to their safety. Knowing that an abuser has attempted to purchase a firearm illegally could give a survivor critical time to update a safety plan, connect with an advocate, and protect themselves and their children. We thank Senator Whitehouse and Congresswoman Dingell for advancing legislation that recognizes survivors' right to information that could help them save their lives," said Vanessa Volz, President and CEO of Sojourner House in Rhode Island.

"Every survivor deserves to feel safe, be heard, and have the support to rebuild their life with dignity. When an offender tries to obtain a firearm illegally, timely information can give survivors a critical opportunity to seek support and safety while making informed decisions for themselves and their children. The responsibility for stopping violence must never rest on survivors alone. We thank Senator Whitehouse and Congresswoman Dingell for advancing legislation that puts survivors' safety and choices at the center," said Margaret Holland McDuff, Chief Executive Officer of Family Service of Rhode Island.

"We are incredibly grateful to Senator Whitehouse and Congresswoman Dingell for introducing this important piece of legislation that will provide a peace of mind for survivors of domestic violence all across the country. We know that the presence of a firearm during a domestic violence assault significantly increases the chance of lethality. Of the 26 domestic violence homicides that occurred in RI between 2016 and 2020, 42% involved a firearm. This legislation will prevent future tragedies and save countless lives," said Jessica Walsh, Executive Director of Women's Resource Center RI.

"The Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act is an important step in promoting increased safety for survivors of interpersonal violence. This legislation offering notification and information will assist survivors in their own personal safety planning. Senator Whitehouse continues to be at the forefront promoting protections and legislation for survivors. Day One is grateful for the Senator's leadership on this matter and looks forward to continued partnership on these critical services and protections for survivors," said Michelle Loranger, Executive Director of Day One.

Domestic violence offenders and protective order respondents are generally prohibited under federal and many state laws from purchasing firearms. However, that prohibition does not always stop offenders from trying to purchase firearms anyway. FBI data shows that almost 160,000 gun purchases were denied from 2018 to 2023 because of the purchaser's domestic violence background. These situations can be life threatening for domestic violence survivors. A male abusive partner's access to a gun significantly increases the risk of an intimate partner homicide.

Specifically, the Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act would:

• Direct the FBI to establish a notification system to alert survivors of federal domestic violence offenses when the offender attempts to purchase a firearm illegally.
  • Permit survivors to register or de-register at will.
  • Provide key alerts about an offender's attempted illegal firearm purchase, including if the sale went through or law enforcement has recovered the firearm.
  • Provide additional alerts about related events, such as a pardon that restores an offender's ability to purchase firearms legally.
• Authorize grants for states to pilot state-run alert systems, so survivors can receive alerts related to protective orders and non-federal domestic violence offenses.
  • Enable states to use funds to expand existing systems or set up new ones.
  • Require reports on the success of and challenges related to these pilot projects, including recommendations for expanding the projects to other states.

Full text of the bill is available here.