Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act

To amend title 18, United States Code, to protect more victims of domestic violence by preventing their abusers from possessing or receiving firearms, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act 2. Definitions of intimate partner misdemeanor crime of domestic violence Section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (32)— (A) by striking and an individual an individual (B) by inserting , or a dating partner (as defined in section 2266) or former dating partner (2) in paragraph (33)(A)(ii)— (A) by striking or by by (B) by inserting , or by a dating partner (as defined in section 2266) or former dating partner of the victim 3. Unlawful sale of firearm to a person subject to court order Section 922(d)(8) of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (8) is subject to a court order described in subsection (g)(8); or . 4. List of persons subject to a restraining or similar order prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm expanded Section 922(g)(8) of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking that (2) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the following: (A) (i) that was issued after a hearing of which such person received actual notice, and at which such person had an opportunity to participate; or (ii) in the case of an ex parte order, relating to which notice and opportunity to be heard are provided— (I) within the time required by State, tribal, or territorial law; and (II) in any event within a reasonable time after the order is issued, sufficient to protect the person’s right to due process; (B) that restrains such person from— (i) harassing, stalking, threatening, or engaging in other conduct that would put an individual in reasonable fear of bodily injury to such individual, including an order that was issued at the request of an employer on behalf of its employee or at the request of an institution of higher education on behalf of its student; or (ii) intimidating or dissuading a witness from testifying in court; and ; and (3) in subparagraph (C)— (A) by striking intimate partner or child individual described in subparagraph (B) (B) in clause (i), by inserting that includes (C) in clause (ii), by inserting that by its 5. Stalking prohibitions (a) Sales or other dispositions of firearms or ammunition Section 922(d) of title 18, United States Code, as amended by section 3 of this Act, is amended— (1) by striking or (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (9) and inserting ; or (3) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following: (10) has been convicted in any court of— (A) a misdemeanor crime of stalking under Federal, State, territorial, or tribal law; or (B) a crime that involves conduct which would be prohibited by section 2261A if committed within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. . (b) Possession, etc., of firearms or ammunition Section 922(g) of such title, as amended by section 4 of this Act, is amended— (1) by striking or (2) by striking the comma at the end of paragraph (9) and inserting ; or (3) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following: (10) has been convicted in any court of— (A) a misdemeanor crime of stalking under Federal, State, territorial, or tribal law; or (B) a crime that involves conduct which would be prohibited by section 2261A if committed within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, .

Summary: Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act This bill amends the federal criminal code to modify the prohibition on firearm sale or transfer to or purchase or possession by an individual who is subject to a court order that restrains the individual from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child of an intimate partner. Specifically, the bill revises the elements of a qualifying court order. It also broadens the definition of "intimate partner" to include a dating partner or former dating partner. Additionally, the bill expands the categories of prohibited persons (i.e., persons barred from receiving or possessing a firearm) to include persons who have been convicted of: (1) a misdemeanor crime of stalking, or (2) a crime involving conduct that would have been stalking if committed within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.