Bill · S. 5656· Senate(119-S-5656)
Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act
- Introduced
- 9/30/2026
- Last activity
- 9/30/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Sheldon Whitehouse
- Cosponsors
- - 7 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Domestic Violence Survivors Alerted For Emergency Notice Act or the Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act. The legislation requires the Federal Bureau of Investigation to establish a firearms access victim notification system. This system will notify registered crime victims when an offender attempts to buy a firearm, gets a firearm transferred to them, or experiences changes to their legal firearm status like a pardon. The bill also creates a grant program to help States and Tribes upgrade their own victim notification systems to report background check denials and status changes. Legal guardians or representatives may act on behalf of victims who are under 18, incompetent, or incapacitated, though offenders are strictly prohibited from serving in this role. Finally, the legislation authorizes specific appropriations for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2031 to carry out the grant program.
Yes· 3 of 13
Would women be better off under this?+5
Because the vast majority of domestic violence victims are women, this notification system directly enhances their safety and awareness.
Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns?+5
The bill establishes a robust notification system tracking firearm purchase attempts and status changes by prohibited domestic offenders.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+4
The bill establishes clear reporting requirements and pilot program evaluations to inform Congress and the public about victim notification efficacy.
The opposite
Would gun owners be better off under this?-2
Gun owners subject to background checks or domestic violence prohibitions face increased tracking and notification mechanisms regarding their status.
Does this protect the right to own guns?-2
While maintaining lawful rights, the bill increases tracking and oversight of firearm transactions by individuals with domestic violence prohibitions.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?-2
The system requires the retention and transmission of sensitive background check data across multiple agencies, raising potential data management concerns.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Registration and Control for Victims: Under Section 2, the bill creates a system allowing crime victims harmed by specific offenses to voluntarily register for and deregister at will from notifications regarding firearms-related activity by their offender. This gives individuals direct control over whether they receive timely safety alerts.
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Protection for Vulnerable Victims: Under Section 2, the legislation ensures that if a crime victim is under 18 years of age, incompetent, or incapacitated, their legal guardians or authorized representatives can register for notifications on their behalf. Crucially, the bill explicitly prohibits the offender from serving as the legal guardian or representative for the victim.
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Access to Vital Support Resources: Under Section 2, notifications issued to crime victims must include contact information for the hotline described in section 313 of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act. This directly connects survivors with emergency help and support resources.
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Grants to Upgrade Local Systems: Under Section 3, the Attorney General is directed to make grants to eligible States and Tribes to upgrade their victim notification systems. This provision helps local jurisdictions build the capacity to notify victims when an offender or respondent attempts to acquire a firearm or successfully receives one.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Burdens on State and Local Governments: Under Section 3, eligible entities receiving grant funds must implement mandatory notification activities and maintain the victim notification system for not fewer than three years. This places administrative and operational requirements on participating State and Tribal governments.
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Potential Privacy and Data Concerns: Under Section 2, the system retains information transmitted from the National Instant Background Check System for up to 24 hours following the issuance of a notification to a crime victim. While intended for notification purposes, the sharing of sensitive background check data across multiple agencies carries inherent data management burdens.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4Improves Due Process+3Increase States Rights+3Increases Federal Power+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Women+5Good For Children+4Good For People With Disabilities+4Good For Gun Owners-2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Gun Control Measures+5Improves Gender Equality+4Improves Disability Rights+3Improves Second Amendment Protections-2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+3Improves Mental Health Access+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+2
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy-2
- 9/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon