Bill · S. 1955· Senate(119-S-1955)
Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act
- Introduced
- 6/4/2025
- Last activity
- 6/4/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Richard Blumenthal
- Cosponsors
- - 25 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act," aims to repeal specific parts of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. Specifically, it repeals sections 2, 3, and 4 of that Act. Additionally, the bill focuses on the Firearms Trace System database maintained by the National Trace Center of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It seeks to allow the contents of this database to be used in legal proceedings. This includes making the information subject to subpoena, discovery, and admissibility as evidence in civil or administrative actions.
Yes
Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns?+7
The bill enhances accountability by allowing firearm trace data to be used as evidence in legal proceedings.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+5
The bill facilitates judicial access to evidence through discovery and subpoena processes.
The opposite
Does this protect the right to own guns?-5
The repeal of certain legal protections for the firearms industry may negatively impact entities operating under existing legal immunity.
Would business owners be better off under this?-4
The repeal of liability protections may increase legal risks and costs for firearm-related businesses.
Would gun owners be better off under this?-3
The reduction in industry liability protections could lead to increased legal scrutiny for those involved in the firearm supply chain.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Evidence in Civil Actions: Under Section 3, the contents of the Firearms Trace System database would no longer be immune from legal process. This means the information can be used as evidence, relied on, or disclosed in civil actions or administrative proceedings.
-
Expanded Legal Discovery: Section 3 allows the database information to be subject to subpoena or other discovery. This provides a way for information regarding gun traces to be obtained during legal proceedings in State or Federal courts.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Repeal of Existing Protections: Section 2 repeals sections 2, 3, and 4 of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. This removes the current legal framework established by those specific sections.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners-4Good For Gun Owners-3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Gun Control Measures+7Improves Second Amendment Protections-5
- 7/9/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/4/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 24 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Christopher MurphyDemocrat · Connecticut
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
John ReedDemocrat · Rhode Island
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Charles SchumerDemocrat · New York
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts