Zonta International is a global organization of individuals dedicated to building a better world for women and girls. The Zonta USA Advocacy Action Center is a tool for our members in the United States and other individuals who share our commitment to gender equality to take action to improve the lives of women and girls. With your help, we can make a difference. In addition to the actions below, click here to support our joint efforts with UNICEF USA to end child marriage in the United States.
The bipartisan and bicameral Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act of 2023 would strengthen provisions closing the boyfriend loophole.
S. 321 and H.R. 905 would:
- Prevent convicted stalkers and all former dating partners convicted of a domestic violence offense, regardless of when the relationship occurred, from buying or owning firearms.
- Clarify that abusive dating partners subject to certain court orders are treated the same as an abusive spouse.
- Update the definition of dating relationship for purposes of federal firearm prohibitions to include “individuals who have or have had a continuing serious relationship of a romantic or intimate nature,” regardless of when the relationship occurred. The law currently requires that the dating relationship is “recent,” which could exclude abusers convicted of domestic violence against partners from a prior relationship.
The legislation is endorsed by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Giffords, YWCA USA, Jewish Women International (JWI), National Network to End Domestic Violence, Everytown for Gun Safety, Legal Momentum, the Women’s Legal Defense Fund, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence and The National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Please use our pre-drafted letters to urge your senators and representative to co-sponsor and support the Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act of 2023. If they have already sponsored or co-sponsored the bill, you can send a message of thanks.