Klobuchar has led legislation to close the boyfriend loophole since 2013

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the following statement after the announcement of bipartisan legislation to address gun violence. This legislation includes provisions from Klobuchar’s bill to close the “boyfriend loophole.”

“This bipartisan legislation is an important step forward as we work to address gun violence. I am especially pleased it includes provisions from a bill I have led for years to close the boyfriend loophole, which will keep guns out of the hands of abusive dating partners convicted of domestic violence. As a former prosecutor, I’ve seen firsthand the serious emotional and physical toll domestic violence can take on victims, particularly when a gun is involved. It is long past time to protect victims of abuse and their families by passing this commonsense reform.”

Since 2013, Klobuchar has led the Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act to close the “boyfriend loophole” and prevent abusive dating partners from buying or owning firearms. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) leads the bill in the House. The Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act is co-sponsored by 38 senators, and provisions from the bill were included in Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act, which passed the House in March 2021 with the support of 29 Republicans.  

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