The Boyfriend Loophole: Analyzing the 2022 Legislative Response and Its Implications in 2025

For decades, a dangerous gap in federal gun laws allowed domestic abusers to retain access to firearms if they were not married to, living with, or sharing a child with their victim. This gap, widely known as the boyfriend loophole, ignored the reality that intimate partner violence is just as deadly in dating relationships as in marriages. In 2022, following a surge in mass shootings and increased public pressure for gun reform, Congress passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), the most significant piece of federal gun legislation in nearly 30 years [1].

The BSCA closed the boyfriend loophole by expanding firearm restrictions to include dating partners convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence. However, it also introduced a compromise: unlike spouses and cohabitants, convicted dating partners can regain their gun rights after five years if they remain offense-free [2]. As of 2025, only 32 states have adopted the policy [3]. This provision, while politically necessary for the law’s passage, has sparked debate about whether it adequately protects survivors or simply delays the risk. Critics argue that the five-year waiting period for dating partners to regain their gun rights, along with the bill’s exclusion of abusers subject to final protective orders, weakens its intended protective impact. While the bill marks a step forward in closing the "boyfriend loophole" by expanding restrictions to cover dating partners, experts and advocates emphasize that it doesn't go far enough [4].

In 2025, the law has been in effect for nearly three years. It has undoubtedly made progress in restricting firearm access for abusers, but challenges in enforcement, legal interpretation, and long-term effectiveness remain. 

Closing the Loophole: Progress and Pitfalls

Before the BSCA, federal law prohibited gun ownership for individuals convicted of domestic violence, but only if they were a spouse, cohabitant, or had a child in common with the victim. Dating partners, regardless of the severity of their offenses, were exempt. This loophole ignores the data: studies show that nearly half of all intimate partner homicides are committed by dating partners rather than spouses [5]. Abusers with access to firearms are five times more likely to kill their female victims. Additionally, nearly 6 million women have reported that an intimate partner used a gun against them [6]. The BSCA’s expansion of firearm restrictions to include dating partners was a major step forward in closing this loophole. By redefining “intimate partner” to include those in a “serious romantic or intimate relationship,” the law now ensures that abusive dating partners face the same restrictions as married abusers. Since the law’s implementation, thousands of firearm purchases have been denied to convicted abusers under the new provisions.

Critics argue that the distinction between dating partners and spouses is arbitrary, as both can pose equally lethal threats in cases of domestic violence. The law's assumption that a five-year offense-free period indicates rehabilitation fails to account for the complexities of abusive relationships, where the risk of violence can remain high even after a period of apparent “calm.” Studies show that intimate partner violence often escalates, and abusers may continue to pose a threat, even if they have not been convicted of a new offense in five years. The law, by offering a path to regaining gun rights, overlooks the reality that abusive behavior can be cyclical, with abusers carefully concealing their patterns of violence during the waiting period.

Enforcement Challenges and Legal Ambiguities

Beyond the five-year rule, the BSCA faces challenges in enforcement and interpretation. Federal firearm bans rely heavily on state reporting systems, but many states still struggle with incomplete or inconsistent reporting of misdemeanor domestic violence convictions [7]. This means that some convicted abusers may still slip through the cracks and legally obtain firearms.

Additionally, the law’s definition of a “serious romantic or intimate relationship” is open to interpretation. Courts may face difficulties determining whether a relationship qualifies under the law, leading to inconsistent enforcement. What constitutes a “serious” relationship? How long must a couple have been together for the law to apply? These ambiguities could undermine the law’s effectiveness and create legal loopholes for defense attorneys to exploit.

Thought-Provoking Questions and Future Implications

The BSCA was a political and legal compromise, balancing public safety concerns with gun rights. But does it go far enough? The five-year rule raises a fundamental question: should all convicted domestic abusers—regardless of their relationship status—face a permanent firearm ban? If the goal is to prevent lethal violence, does a temporary restriction truly protect survivors in the long term?

Another issue to consider is state-level variation in enforcement. While the BSCA sets federal standards, states play a critical role in implementation. Some states have embraced the new restrictions and strengthened their laws, while others have resisted federal firearm regulations. Should there be stronger federal oversight to ensure uniform enforcement?

Finally, there are broader societal implications. The boyfriend loophole existed for so long because the law failed to recognize dating relationships as equally serious as marriages when it came to domestic violence. The BSCA’s passage represents progress, but it also highlights deeper issues about how the legal system defines and addresses intimate partner violence. As the law continues to be tested in the courts and practice, will we see further reforms that treat all domestic violence offenders equally, regardless of marital status?

What This Means for U.S. Citizens in 2025

As a citizen in 2025, the BSCA and its reforms have direct and indirect implications. For survivors of domestic violence, it offers a crucial layer of protection that was previously missing. For gun owners and advocates, it represents a shift in firearm regulations that may set a precedent for future restrictions. And for the general public, it underscores the importance of civic engagement—laws like the BSCA pass when public pressure forces lawmakers to act.

Looking ahead, the debate over gun control and domestic violence protections is far from over. If the BSCA proves effective in reducing intimate partner homicides, will lawmakers consider expanding it to eliminate the five-year restoration rule? Will future legislation strengthen enforcement mechanisms to ensure no abuser retains access to firearms due to reporting failures?

In a nation where mass shootings and domestic violence remain pressing issues, the BSCA was a long-overdue step in the right direction. But as we navigate its implementation in 2025 and beyond, one thing is clear: the fight to protect survivors and prevent gun violence prevails. Whether this law marks a turning point or just a temporary fix will depend on continued advocacy, political will, and the willingness of citizens to demand lasting change.

Sources:

1. Biden White House. A Report on the Implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, (June 2024), https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/A-Report-on-the-Implementation-of-the-Bipartisan-Safer-Communities-Act.pdf  
2. The 19th. Gun Bill Includes Boyfriend Loophole, Advocates Say, (June 2022), https://19thnews.org/2022/06/gun-bill-boyfriend-loophole/. 
3. Everytown for Gun Safety. Prohibition for Convicted Domestic Abusers, (January, 15, 2025),https://everytownresearch.org/rankings/law/prohibition-for-convicted-domestic-abusers/. 
4. Supra.
5. Joette Katz. Closing the Boyfriend Loophole Will Make Women Safer from Gun Violence, CT Law Tribune, (June 23, 2022), https://www.shipmangoodwin.com/insights/joette-katz-authors-ct-law-tribune-article-closing-the-boyfriend-loophole-will-make-women-safer-from-gun-violence.html. 
6. [6] Everytown for Gun Safety. Guns and Violence Against Women, (Oct. 17, 2019), https://everytownresearch.org/report/guns-and-violence-against-women/. 
7. Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. NICS Reporting Procedures, (n.d.), https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/policy-areas/background-checks/nics-reporting-procedures/.