§2. Addressing IntimatePartner Violence
This section expands federal firearms prohibitions related to intimate partner violence and stalking (18 U.S.C. ch. 44) as follows: (1) amends the definition of "intimate partner" in 18 U.S.C. §921(a)(32) to include current or former dating partners or any other individual similarly situated to a spouse (e.g., protected under State or Tribal domestic or family violence laws), and defines "dating relationship" in §921(a)(37) as a continuing serious relationship of a romantic or intimate nature; (2) expands the definition of "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" in §921(a)(33)(A)(ii) to include offenses against a child victim committed by a person with a current or recent former dating relationship with the victim's parent, guardian, or similarly situated person; and (3) establishes a new definition of "misdemeanor crime of stalking" in §921(a)(39) as a qualifying misdemeanor involving a course of harassment, intimidation, or surveillance placing specified persons (i.e., the victim, immediate family member, co-resident, intimate partner, or their pet, service animal, or emotional support animal) in reasonable fear of harm or causing emotional distress—with conviction safeguards requiring counsel or waiver and jury trial or waiver where applicable, plus exceptions for expunged, set-aside, pardoned, or civil-rights-restored convictions unless expressly prohibiting firearm possession—and adds it as a prohibitor in §922(d)(10) (unlawful transfers) and §922(g)(10) (unlawful possession).