Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1307
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-13: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-28T08:06:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2025 aims to create a dedicated office within the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to coordinate federal efforts to prevent gun violence. It focuses on integrating existing programs, evaluating policies, and promoting evidence-based strategies to reduce incidents like homicides, suicides, and unintentional injuries involving firearms, while supporting affected communities.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of the Office: The Attorney General must create the Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the DOJ's Office of Legal Policy and appoint a Director to lead it.
- Core Duties of the Director (in consultation with an advisory council):
- Coordinate and enhance DOJ programs related to gun violence, including those from divisions like Criminal and Civil, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the national background check system under the Brady Act.
- Evaluate and recommend improvements to laws, regulations, data sources, and grant programs to better reduce gun violence.
- Identify gaps in data for research and policy, and develop plans to collect and analyze it.
- Assess DOJ research on gun violence causes and solutions to create a comprehensive agenda.
- Educate the public on federal gun laws, safe firearm storage, and suicide prevention, targeting firearm owners, parents, and professionals in high-risk communities.
- Assist communities after gun violence incidents (e.g., mass shootings or domestic violence cases) by improving access to mental health services, anti-trafficking efforts, crisis training, and suicide prevention.
- Coordinate with other federal agencies, such as Health and Human Services, Education, and Homeland Security.
- Submit an annual report to Congress on gun violence trends, policy recommendations, and office activities.
- Advisory Council: The Attorney General must convene a council, chaired by the Director, meeting at least quarterly. It includes key DOJ officials (e.g., Deputy Attorney General, ATF Director) and at least 12 additional members representing diverse perspectives, such as gun violence survivors, public health experts, teachers, mental health clinicians, state officials, and veterans.
- Funding: Authorizes necessary appropriations to implement the office.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill does not amend specific existing laws but introduces a new centralized office to oversee and integrate them. It builds on current frameworks like the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (which established background checks) by mandating evaluations and coordination, potentially leading to modernized implementation without directly altering statutes. No new gun control measures (e.g., restrictions on firearms) are imposed; instead, it emphasizes administrative efficiency and policy recommendations.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Enhances coordination across DOJ components and other federal departments, potentially streamlining grant programs and research to make anti-gun violence efforts more effective and data-driven. This could increase administrative workload for agencies like ATF and the Office of Justice Programs but foster better resource allocation.
- On Citizens: Provides public education on safe gun practices and suicide prevention, which may reduce accidental injuries and suicides. Communities hit by gun violence gain better access to mental health and crisis support, benefiting survivors, families, and high-risk groups (e.g., those in areas with high homicide rates or domestic violence).
- On International Relations: No direct impacts mentioned; the focus is domestic.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Government: DOJ (including ATF, FBI, and victim services offices), other agencies like Health and Human Services and Education, and Congress (via reports and recommendations).
- Communities and Individuals: Gun violence survivors, victims' families, firearm owners, parents, mental health providers, public health officials, teachers, students, veterans, and residents in disproportionately affected areas (e.g., urban communities with high rates of homicide or domestic violence).
- State and Local Entities: State justice departments, local public health offices, and community violence intervention providers, who may collaborate on crisis response and data sharing.
- Broader Public: Professionals in trauma care, first responders, and small businesses in impacted areas, through education and support programs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens enforcement of existing gun laws by improving coordination and data use, but relies on future congressional action for any new regulations. The broad definition of "gun violence" (encompassing suicides and unintentional injuries) allows flexibility in addressing root causes without infringing on Second Amendment rights explicitly.
- Constitutional: Falls within Congress's authority under Article I to organize the executive branch and appropriate funds for public safety. It avoids direct regulation of firearms, reducing potential challenges under the Second Amendment (right to bear arms), as upheld in cases like District of Columbia v. Heller (2008).
- Political: As a bipartisan-introduced bill (though sponsored primarily by Democrats), it could bridge divides on gun issues by emphasizing prevention and support over restrictions, but may face opposition from gun rights advocates concerned about expanded federal oversight. Annual reports could influence future legislation, making it a tool for evidence-based policy debates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (135)
Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray, Jr. [D-CA-31], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2] and 85 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-13: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-02-13: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-13 — PDF (10 pages)