Criminal Justice (Firearms)

in committee · United States · House Jun 12, 2025

HR 3968: School Violence Prevention Act

HR 3968, the School Violence Prevention Act, creates a federal grant program to fund school-based violence prevention programs in communities with severe gun violence. It authorizes $25 million annually (2025-2031) for grants to partnerships between state/local education agencies and community nonprofits in areas experiencing high homicide rates (e.g., 35+ homicides annually) or double the national violent crime arrest rate for youth. Grants must support evidence-based programs for K-12 students - including trauma-informed counseling, conflict resolution skills, mental health access, and community engagement - while requiring annual data collection on outcomes like graduation rates. All programs must be evaluated by grantees and independent researchers, with reports shared publicly and submitted to Congress every three years.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds evidence-based school violence prevention programs in high-crime areas, aiming to reduce youth involvement in the criminal justice system through proactive community partnerships.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds K-12 violence prevention programs via $25M annual grants, directly supporting school safety and student access in high-risk areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Violent Crime K-12 Education School Safety Student Health

Track

in committee · United States · House Aug 5, 2025

HR 4882: Gun Safety Board and Research Act

The Gun Safety Board and Research Act establishes a 22-member board within the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct and fund research on firearm violence reduction. The board must create a research program using at least half of its $5 million annual funding (rising to $25 million yearly), focusing on topics like domestic violence, suicide prevention, mass shootings, and health care costs, while publishing annual reports with policy recommendations and research gaps. It directly affects public health researchers, law enforcement, victims' advocates, and policymakers by generating evidence-based insights for federal, state, and local action. The board includes diverse expertise - from trauma surgery to firearm manufacturing - and must evaluate existing laws' effectiveness, avoiding advocacy while detailing concrete research priorities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds research on firearm violence reduction, including domestic violence and mass shootings, aligning with criminal justice reform goals through evidence-based policy development.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds research on suicide prevention (mental health) and healthcare costs, directly advancing healthcare policy areas through HHS research program.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms Law Enforcement Public Health

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 10, 2025

HR 18: Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025

This bill requires private firearm transfers between individuals to go through a licensed dealer who must conduct a background check. It applies to most private sales but includes exceptions for transfers between family members (like parents and children), law enforcement, emergencies preventing harm, and temporary loans at shooting ranges or for hunting. Dealers must provide background check notices in both English and Spanish. The law aims to prevent prohibited individuals from obtaining firearms through private transactions while maintaining existing state authority on firearm laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires background checks for private firearm sales to prevent prohibited individuals from obtaining guns, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing gun violence.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 13, 2025

S 597: Age 21 Act

The Age 21 Act (S 597) would prohibit individuals under 21 years old from purchasing certain firearms and related items. The bill specifically targets semiautomatic assault weapons, certain pistols, shotguns, and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices by amending Section 922 of Title 18. It defines detailed categories of firearms that would be covered, including specific models like AR-15s and AK-47s, as well as features like detachable magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. The bill would require sellers to verify that buyers are at least 21 years old for these specific firearms and ammunition types. This would directly affect young adults aged 18-20 who would no longer be able to purchase these defined firearms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits under-21s from purchasing assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, targeting gun violence prevention - a core criminal justice reform measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Violent Crime

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 27, 2025

HR 4222: Fire Sale Loophole Closing Act of 2025

This bill closes a loophole allowing firearms dealers to improperly transfer business inventory firearms when closing their operations. It prohibits dealers from moving such firearms into personal collections or to employees after receiving notice of license revocation or denial, and bans direct sales to unlicensed individuals after license expiration (with a 30-day window for licensed dealer transfers). The law defines "business inventory firearms" as those recorded in business logs and imposes fines or up to 5 years in prison for violations. It directly affects federally licensed firearms dealers facing license termination.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCloses loophole preventing improper firearm transfers during dealer closures, reducing potential for illegal gun sales and enhancing public safety within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jan 28, 2025

S 286: Stop Human Trafficking of Unaccompanied Migrant Children Act of 2025

This bill requires enhanced background checks and home visits for sponsors caring for unaccompanied migrant children. It mandates fingerprint checks, sex offender registry reviews, criminal history checks, and child abuse registry checks for all adult household members before a child can be placed with them. The bill also prohibits placing children with unlawful immigrants (except biological parents or guardians), requires pre-release home visits, and mandates at least five unannounced post-release home visits in the first year. Additionally, it requires monthly reports to Congress on child placements, background checks, and missing children cases, with retroactive vetting for all children placed since 2021.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates background checks and home visits to prevent human trafficking of children, aligning with criminal justice reform to protect victims and prevent exploitation.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill mandates background checks and restricts placement with unlawful immigrants (except biological parents) to prevent trafficking of unaccompanied migrant children, protecting immigrant children's safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Human Trafficking

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 27, 2025

HR 4227: AMMO Act

The AMMO Act (HR 4227) regulates ammunition sales by requiring background checks for all non-licensed buyers, limiting bulk purchases to 100 rounds of .50 caliber or 1,000 rounds of other calibers within a 5-day period, and mandating recordkeeping for dealers. It directly affects licensed ammunition dealers and individuals purchasing ammunition, requiring dealers to collect identification, written certifications, and maintain records for two years. The bill establishes penalties including fines up to $250,000 for dealers and up to 5 years in prison for false statements, and requires annual reporting on violations. Dealers must post signage about these restrictions and verify identities through government-issued photo IDs. The law will take effect 120 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRegulates ammunition sales with background checks and purchase limits, enhancing public safety and preventing illegal gun access - aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 26, 2025

HR 4198: Clean Hands Firearm Procurement Act

This bill prohibits federal agencies from entering contracts with firearm dealers who have been identified as having high crime connections. Specifically, it requires the federal government to publish annually a list of dealers with at least 25 firearms traced to crimes within 3 years of sale in two of the past three years. Federal agencies must then avoid contracting with these dealers for two years following their inclusion on the list. The Attorney General may grant limited national security waivers (with congressional notification), but the ban takes effect 180 days after enactment. This directly affects federal contractors and firearm dealers meeting the defined crime-tracing threshold.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents federal contracts with firearm dealers linked to crime, reducing firearm-related offenses through enhanced oversight90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 26, 2025

HR 4166: Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act of 2025

This bill expands legal protections for domestic violence and stalking survivors by broadening key definitions. It adds current and former dating partners to the definition of "intimate partner" and includes children of dating partners in domestic violence protections. The bill also creates a new federal definition for "misdemeanor crime of stalking," requiring a course of harassment causing fear for specific people (including intimate partners, family, or shared-residence individuals) or their pets/service animals. Convictions under this new definition would trigger firearm restrictions, with specific safeguards for due process in court proceedings. These changes directly affect survivors in dating relationships and their children, strengthening federal protections for vulnerable individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands legal definitions to include dating partners and children, enhancing protections for survivors under criminal justice framework95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Apr 8, 2025

S 1329: PEER Support Act

S.1329, the PEER Support Act, establishes formal standards for peer support specialists in mental health and substance use recovery. It defines the profession (requiring lived experience and certification), mandates the federal government to create a new occupational category for these specialists by 2026, and creates an Office of Recovery within SAMHSA to support workforce development and best practices. The bill also requires a federal report analyzing state criminal background check policies for peer specialists and recommending ways to reduce barriers to certification. This legislation directly affects peer support specialists, state certification agencies, and federal agencies like SAMHSA, aiming to professionalize the field and improve access to recovery support services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates peer support standards for mental health/substance use recovery, directly reducing recidivism through rehabilitation. Mandates federal report on criminal background check policies, aligning with reform efforts to ease reentry barriers.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes standards for peer support specialists in mental health, mandates federal occupational category, creates SAMHSA Office of Recovery for workforce development and best practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Mental Health Substance Abuse

Track