Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act of 2025

Key Points

• The bill expands the federal definition of "intimate partner" to include current and former dating partners, not just spouses or cohabitants. This closes a longstanding gap that allowed people convicted of domestic violence against a dating partner to legally own firearms.
• A new federal prohibition would ban gun ownership for anyone convicted of misdemeanor stalking. The stalking must involve harassment, intimidation, or surveillance that causes reasonable fear of harm or emotional distress to the victim, their family, housemates, intimate partners, or even their pets.
• The bill includes due process safeguards so the gun ban only applies if the convicted person had legal representation (or knowingly waived it) and had access to a jury trial (or knowingly waived that right). Convictions that have been expunged, pardoned, or had civil rights restored also do not trigger the ban.
• The bill defines "dating relationship" as a continuing serious relationship of a romantic or intimate nature. This makes sure the law covers real partnerships, not casual acquaintances, while still protecting people who were in relationships that have since ended.