Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the relationship between firearm violence and intimate partner violence and to honor the memory of Gladys Ricart and other victims of intimate partner homicide killed by firearms, and for other purposes.

Bill Number

H.Res. 837

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-10-28: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2025-12-02T16:43:54Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This resolution (H. Res. 837) expresses the House of Representatives' recognition of the link between firearm violence and intimate partner violence (IPV), honors victims like Gladys Ricart who were killed by firearms in domestic violence incidents, and calls for actions to address this issue. It aims to raise awareness, commend support services, and urge Congress to strengthen protections against such violence.

Key Provisions

• Factual Background (Whereas Clauses): Highlights statistics on the severity of firearm-related IPV, including:
• Firearms are involved in 66% of female intimate partner homicides.
• An average of 70 women are killed monthly by intimate partners using firearms, or one every 12 hours.
• 59% of recent mass shootings are linked to domestic violence, with lower survival rates (16% vs. 37%) in those cases.
• 1 in 10 U.S. adults face nonfatal firearm threats from partners.
• Access to firearms increases a female victim's risk of death by 5 times.
• Disproportionate impacts on Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic women (e.g., Black women are 3 times more likely to be fatally shot by partners than White women).
• House Recognition (Resolved Clause):
• Acknowledges the connection between firearm and IPV.
• Praises domestic violence advocates, service providers, hotline staff, and first responders for supporting survivors.
• Commits to funding research on the firearm-IPV link, especially its effects on Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic communities.
• Sense of the House (Recommendations):
• Strengthen the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to prevent prohibited individuals from obtaining firearms (NICS is a federal database that checks buyer eligibility before gun sales).
• Ban firearm access for anyone under domestic violence restraining orders.
• Support programs aiding survivors, holding abusers accountable, and preventing IPV.
• Back local processes for surrendering firearms in domestic violence cases to enforce federal bans.
• Urge immediate consideration of bills like H.R. 4166 (Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act of 2025) and H.R. 18 (Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025) to reduce firearm and IPV risks.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no direct changes to laws. It expresses opinions and recommendations but does not amend statutes, create new rules, or enforce policies. Any actual changes would require separate legislation, such as the bills it references.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Raises public awareness of firearm risks in IPV, potentially encouraging survivors to seek help and communities to support prevention efforts. It highlights disparities for marginalized groups, which could lead to targeted resources, but has no immediate enforceable effects.
• On Government Agencies: Encourages funding for research by agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or Department of Justice, and supports enhancements to NICS managed by the FBI. Local law enforcement may see indirect pressure to improve firearm relinquishment processes in IPV cases.
• On International Relations: Minimal impact; it notes U.S. women's high rate of firearm homicides globally (92% of such deaths in high-income countries), which could inform U.S. discussions in international forums on gender-based violence but does not alter foreign policy.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Victims and Survivors: Primarily women facing IPV, especially Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic women, who face higher risks.
• Support Providers: Domestic violence advocates, shelters, crisis hotlines, and first responders who receive commendation and potential funding boosts.
• Communities and Families: Children and adults affected by IPV, including those witnessing or experiencing nonfatal firearm threats.
• Lawmakers and Policymakers: Members of Congress urged to act on related bills; gun rights and control groups may engage in debates.
• Perpetrators and Legal System: Individuals subject to restraining orders, with calls for stricter firearm enforcement.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces existing federal laws like the Lautenberg Amendment (which already prohibits firearm possession by those convicted of domestic violence or under certain restraining orders) but pushes for broader application and better enforcement without creating new mandates.
• Constitutional: Touches on Second Amendment rights (right to bear arms) by advocating restrictions for high-risk individuals, which courts have upheld in IPV contexts as not violating constitutional protections. No direct challenges raised here.
• Political: Serves as a symbolic bipartisan signal (though introduced by a Democrat) to prioritize gun violence prevention tied to gender issues, potentially influencing legislative agendas amid ongoing debates on background checks and domestic violence. It could mobilize advocacy groups but risks polarizing views on gun control.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]

Recent Actions

• 2025-10-28: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-10-28: Submitted in House
• 2025-10-28: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the relationship between firearm violence and intimate partner violence and to honor the memory of Gladys Ricart and other victims of intimate partner homicide killed by firearms, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-10-28 — PDF (4 pages)