House Closes the “Boyfriend Loophole,” Reauthorizes Violence Against Women Act
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On Tuesday, the House reinvigorated protections for survivors of domestic abuse by reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) with a 263-158 vote (33 Republicans crossed the aisle to support this measure, while one Democrat voted against it). VAWA had lapsed in February when it was not included in the spending bill that ended the government shutdown. One of its key purposes was providing funding and grants to organizations addressing domestic abuse.
The legislation passed on Tuesday, expanding the reach of VAWA despite protestations from the National Rifle Association and Republicans. These two groups were more worried about the undercutting of Second Amendment rights than the lives of women slain by their own partners. After all, the murder of women perpetrated by their partners or members of their own family is a phenomena so widespread that many have become virtually numb to it.
VAWA now closes the “boyfriend loophole,” meaning that people who were convicted of stalking or abusing people they were dating but never married to will not be able to purchase firearms. Currently laws only apply these restrictions to spouses or formerly married individuals convicted of abuse or under a restraining order.