Us Congress House Bill HR827

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 10/30/23
• Refer: 10/30/23

Caption

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the relationships between firearm violence, misogyny, and violence against women, and reaffirming the importance of preventing individuals with a history of violence against women from accessing a firearm.

Impact

The bill suggests that with the increasing firearm-related homicides among women, particularly those who are intimate partners of the perpetrators, addressing the 'boyfriend loophole' in current laws is essential. This loophole allows abusers who are dating, rather than married, to still access firearms, which poses a significant threat to victims. This resolution is set against a backdrop of rising domestic violence incidents, exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby reinforcing the urgency of implementing more effective restrictions on firearm access for specific populations.

Summary

House Resolution 827 expresses the sense of the House of Representatives on the relationship between firearm violence, misogyny, and violence against women. It emphasizes the need for legislation that prevents individuals with a history of violence against women from being able to purchase or possess firearms. The resolution builds on research indicating that restricted access to firearms for domestic abusers is crucial in reducing incidents of intimate partner homicide, highlighting a notable gap in current federal laws which only restrict access for married or cohabitating partners.

Contention

Notably, there are contentious discussions surrounding the balance between Second Amendment rights and the need for preventing dangerous individuals from accessing firearms. Supporters of HR827 argue that improving gun safety laws, especially concerning individuals with domestic violence histories, is imperative for protecting vulnerable populations. However, opponents may view such measures as infringing upon individual liberties and gun rights that are protected under the Constitution, thus igniting debates within legislative circles concerning public safety versus personal freedoms.