Image by Jason Gillman from Pixabay 

August 21, 2026 - WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) has joined U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and U.S. Representative Jim Himes (D-Conn.-04) in introducing the Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act, legislation to close a dangerous loophole that allows domestic abusers to legally obtain weapons. The Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act restricts those under temporary restraining orders from purchasing or possessing a firearm and extends protections to domestic violence survivors who have been abused by their dating partners. 

The bill is named in memory of Lori Jackson, a Connecticut mother who was tragically shot and killed by her estranged husband who had legally obtained a handgun even though he was subject to a temporary restraining order, and Nicolette Elias, a Connecticut mother who, despite securing restraining orders and temporary stalking orders against her estranged and abusive ex-husband, was murdered by her former spouse in front of their children with a handgun that he refused to relinquish.

“Denying a domestic abuser access to a gun is one of the most obvious, common-sense steps we can take to protect survivors,” said Senator Padilla. “This bill would address a deadly loophole, reduce dangerous domestic violence incidents, and most importantly, save lives.”

“This legislation closes a gaping loophole—to save lives when current law leaves domestic abuse victims most vulnerable to violent partners with guns,” said Senator Blumenthal. “The link between domestic violence and guns is deadly. The Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act would prevent the purchase and possession of a firearm by someone who is subject to a temporary restraining order—protecting survivors of domestic violence when courts recognize the danger.”

“Keeping guns out of the hands of domestic violence abusers is commonsense,” said Senator Wyden. “It’s past time to help end the cycle of gun violence and provide domestic violence survivors with bare minimum protection against their abusers, and our bill is the way to do it.”

“Lori Jackson and Nicolette Elias should still be alive today. That perpetrators of domestic violence can still access firearms even with a temporary restraining order against them is a dangerous loophole that needs to be closed. We owe it to Lori, Nicolette, and the countless other survivors of domestic violence killed by gun violence to close this loophole once and for all—and that’s precisely what this bill would do,” said Representative Himes.

In addition to Padilla, Blumenthal, and Wyden, the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) in the Senate.

The legislation is supported by a number of organizations, including Brady, Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund, GIFFORDS, Newtown Action Alliance, Everytown, Jewish Women International, March for Our Lives, National Domestic Violence Hotline, National Network to End Domestic Violence, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, and CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

“Domestic violence is a serious issue that cuts across racial, gender, economic, sexual, generational, and religious divides. In fact, one-third of women and one-quarter of men are victims of physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner at least once in their lifetime. The mere presence of a firearm in the hands of an abuser is a key factor that can transform a dangerous situation into a deadly one. The Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act will protect survivors of intimate partner violence by fully closing the “boyfriend loophole” and restricting individuals under emergency restraining orders from purchasing or possessing firearms. Brady is grateful to Senator Blumenthal for introducing this important bill and for his steadfast dedication to protecting survivors and ending the American gun violence crisis,” said Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy, Brady.

“No one escaping domestic violence should fear that their abuser can still access a firearm,” said Lauren Levin, chief advocacy officer of the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund. “We are proud to endorse the Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act, strengthening protections for survivors facing serious threats and helping keep families and communities safe by reducing the risk of future violence.”

“The gaps in federal gun policy regarding domestic abuse are completely unacceptable and deadly. An abusive partner’s access to a firearm makes it five times more likely that a woman will be killed. That’s why I urge Congress to pass Senator Blumenthal’s lifesaving bill, and finally take steps to prevent known abusers from getting their hands on dangerous weapons,” said Emma Brown, Executive Director at GIFFORDS.

“A protective order should protect. Yet loopholes in federal law still allow too many dangerous domestic abusers to keep or acquire firearms even after a court has found that they pose a credible threat,” said Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance. “The Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act closes those deadly loopholes and helps ensure that a judge’s order is backed by meaningful action. Survivors deserve more than a piece of paper—they deserve the freedom to live safely in their own homes without fear of gun violence.”

Full text of the bill can be found here.

Source: Senator Alex Padilla