The House passed (244-172) H.R.1620, that would renew the lapsed Violence Against Women Act, but the proposal stoked contention over provisions that would restrict gun ownership and expand rights for transgender individuals. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) has said she is working with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to draft a Senate version of a reauthorization proposal, but it remains a work in progress.

FIREARMS RESTRICTIONS

The measure would prohibit an individual convicted of a misdemeanor stalking crime from possessing a firearm.

It also would expand a prohibition on gun possession for individuals subject to a restraining order to also apply to “ex parte” orders that are generally issued without the other party being present. The individual would have to be given notice and an opportunity to be heard within a reasonable amount of time “to protect the due process rights of the person.”

The FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) would have to notify law enforcement agencies if it determines after three business days that a sale was made to a prohibited individual convicted of domestic violence or stalking or subject to a court order.

NICS would also have to notify state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies if a prohibited individual’s attempt to purchase a firearm is denied.

The measure would authorize the following annual amounts through fiscal 2026:

• $222 million for STOP Grants to support law enforcement, victim services, legal assistance, and data collection in domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking cases.
• $110 million for grants to support rape prevention and education programs through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At least 15% of funds would be allocated to state, territorial, and tribal sexual assault coalitions for coordinating prevention activities.
• $75 million for grants to private nonprofit entities, tribal governments, and publicly funded organizations such as law schools to provide legal assistance to victims, including dependents.
• $73 million for grants to aid state, local, and tribal governments for improvements and alternatives to criminal justice response efforts.
• $60 million for grants to create and expand rape crisis centers and other nongovernmental or tribal programs for sexual assault victims.

Supporters

 Supporters of the bill say it continues VAWA's important work in reducing violent crimes against women and represents a significant update to the law that will strengthen and enhance the vital services currently provided to victims of domestic violence. They say that by removing firearms and other dangerous weapons from persons convicted of domestic violence it will further protect victims, potentially saving their lives; statistics clearly show that firearms in the hands of those who commit domestic violence increases the likelihood for tragedy in what is already a dangerous situation for the victim. They also say that Congress should set its sights higher than a simple extension of VAWA, arguing that a multiyear renewal is appropriate and will make the law more effective.

Opponents

Opponents of the bill say they support the underlying VAWA law and would like to see it reauthorized on a long-term basis, but that the Democrats' bill is too partisan and uses women to advance other controversial issues on their political agenda. In particular, they say the bill's firearms provisions go too far in expanding prohibitions on the ability of law abiding citizens to obtain firearms and even call for the seizure of firearms from gun owners, while doing far too little to protect women. And in committee Democrats blocked the ability of women who wish to defend themselves by denying grant money for firearm training and self-defense courses. Congress would be better off simply extending VAWA through the end of this fiscal year so substantive negotiations can occur.

Would you like to see the Senate pass a "clean" version of the Violence Against Women Act, one that does not contain gun control measures?