Whitehouse and Dingell Introduce New 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

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) have 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. Our 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.

"When a domestic violence survivor is rebuilding their life, safety and peace of mind are everything. We know that an abusive partner's access to a firearm dramatically increases the risk of fatal violence. By ensuring survivors receive immediate alerts if an offender attempts to purchase a gun illegally, the Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act empowers victims with time-sensitive information that can save lives," said Congresswoman Dingell.

The legislation is 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).

"As a former prosecutor, I have seen firsthand the serious emotional and physical toll domestic violence can take on victims, especially when guns are involved. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, now law, included provisions from my bill that closed the dangerous boyfriend loophole to keep firearms out of the hands of dating partners convicted of domestic violence," said Senator Klobuchar. "This new legislation builds on that progress by creating a notification system for survivors of domestic violence, alerting them when their abuser attempts to purchase a firearm illegally. This common-sense legislation will protect victims and help save lives."

"Current loopholes in federal and state law can allow domestic violence offenders to purchase guns despite their criminal history, which seriously compromises survivor safety," said Senator Blunt Rochester. "This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I am proud to partner with my colleagues to create this essential alert system that will ensure no victim is unprepared if their abuser breaks the law to obtain a dangerous firearm."

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.

The Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act has been endorsed by the National Domestic Violence Hotline, National District Attorneys Association, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Survivor Justice Center, Jewish Women International, National Alliance of Trauma Recovery Centers, National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd (U.S. Region), the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Council of Jewish Women, Just Solutions, Futures Without Violence, Union for Reform Judaism, Ujima, National Network to End Domestic Violence, Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Sakhi for South Asian Survivors, National Organization for Victim Advocacy, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, Lovelace Consulting Services, Inc., National Indigenous Women's Resource Center, Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, National Crime Victim Law Institute, Yup'ik Women's Coalition, Life Span, Women of Reform Judaism, and Alliance of Tribal Coalitions to End Violence.

"Survivors often must make complex safety decisions in real time, and having timely information about an abusive partner's attempt to obtain a firearm can be critical to that decision-making. The Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act would help ensure survivors have access to information that could allow them to take additional safety precautions, seek support, and make informed decisions for themselves and their families. The Hotline is grateful to Rep. Debbie Dingell and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse for introducing this legislation and for their continued commitment to the safety and well-being of survivors of domestic violence," said Katie Ray-Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

"The National District Attorneys Association is proud to support the Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act, which establishes a common-sense notification system to alert victims when offenders unlawfully attempt to acquire a firearm as well as other firearm-related updates. NDAA commends this victim-centered approach that promotes public safety," said Nelson Bunn, Executive Director of the National District Attorneys Association.

Full text of the bill is available here.