End Gun Violence Act of 2025
End Gun Violence Act of 2025 would add a new federal restriction on firearm sales and other dispositions. Specifically, it would prohibit the sale or transfer of any firearm or ammunition to a person who has been convicted of a violent misdemeanor within the previous five years. It also creates a precise definition of “violent misdemeanor” and adds due process protections around counting a conviction for purposes of the prohibition (e.g., requiring representation by counsel or a valid waiver of counsel, and ensuring certain pardons or expungements may or may not remove a conviction from consideration). The bill then makes a series of conforming changes to federal firearms laws and the background-check framework (including the Brady Act provisions and the NICS system) so these rules apply consistently across related statutes. A transition provision delays the new prohibition’s applicability to convictions that occur before six months after enactment. In short, the bill aims to narrow who may legally obtain firearms by adding a recent violent misdemeanor conviction as a disqualifying factor, while also tightening the legal framework and background-check processes to reflect that change.
Key Points
- 1Prohibition on sale or disposition: The sale, transfer, or other disposition of any firearm or ammunition to a person convicted of a violent misdemeanor within the previous five years would be prohibited under new 18 U.S.C. § 922(d)(12).
- 2Definition of violent misdemeanor: A violent misdemeanor is a misdemeanor offense (at federal, state, tribal, or local level) with elements such as use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force or a deadly weapon, or with intent to cause physical injury, or knowingly causing physical injury. The bill also includes due-process protections for counting a conviction (representation by counsel or knowingly waiving the right to counsel; juries where applicable) and specific rules about pardons, expungements, or restored civil rights.
- 3Due-process and conviction integrity: A person is not considered convicted for purposes of this provision unless certain representation/jury-trial requirements are met, and pardons/expungements restore rights only if they explicitly allow firearm possession or participation.
- 4Conforming amendments: The bill makes a range of changes to related statutes and sections (including 18 U.S.C. 922(t), 923(d), 925A, the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act provisions, and the NICS Improvement Amendments Act) to reflect the expanded prohibition on knowing sales or dispositions to those convicted of violent misdemeanors. This includes how information about violations affects background checks and eligibility determinations.
- 5Applicability and transition: The changes do not apply to convictions occurring before six months after enactment. This provides a grace period for cases that occur after enactment but before the new rules take effect.
- 6Rule of construction: The act does not change certain existing firearm-safety provisions (subsections (d)(8) or (g)(8) of 18 U.S.C. § 922) and does not restrict state, tribal, or local laws beyond what the federal framework already permits.