Certain crime victims could receive alerts about failed gun background checks

The FBI would send alerts when a licensed seller’s federal background check finds that an offender cannot legally receive a gun. Victims harmed by the five listed federal crimes could register. Victims could register or leave at any time. A pardon or restored rights for the crime linked to registration would stop purchase alerts; pardons or restored rights for unrelated crimes would not.

The Justice Department would award grants for trial alert programs. States and Tribes would need existing victim alert systems. Alerts would cover licensed sellers’ gun sales blocked by domestic violence gun restrictions. Registration would be voluntary. The proposed $10 million per fiscal year for 2027–2031 would require separate funding. Recipients would implement required activities within three years after receiving a grant and keep the system running for at least three years.

The federal alert system would use victims’ information only for gun alerts. The time limit would apply to information sent by the federal gun background check system. These duties would not give people a right to enforce them in court. That information could be kept no longer than 24 hours after a notification is sent.