The "STOP Violence Act of 2025" allocates funds to public assembly facilities to prepare for and protect against mass violence, including active shooter incidents and targeted violence.
Joe Neguse
Representative
CO-2
The STOP Violence Act of 2025 aims to bolster protection against mass violence by allocating an additional $20,000,000 in grants to states, local governments, and nonprofits. These funds will support public assembly facilities in preparing for and protecting against incidents like active shooter events and targeted violence. The act defines key terms such as "mass violence," "active shooter," "targeted violence," and "public assembly facility" to ensure clear understanding and effective implementation of the grants.
STOP Violence Act Adds $20M for Mass Violence Prevention in Public Spaces
The STOP Violence Act of 2025 aims to bolster safety in places where people gather by amending existing law to add $20 million in grant funding. This money, managed by the Attorney General, is earmarked for states, local governments, and non-profits that support crime victims. The core goal is to fund training, technical assistance, and victim compensation specifically related to preventing and responding to mass violence in public assembly facilities.
Bolstering Defenses Where We Live and Work
So, what counts as a 'public assembly facility'? The bill casts a wide net, covering structures or places where people gather for pretty much anything – meetings, school, worship, shopping, work, entertainment, or sports. Think schools, malls, concert venues, office buildings, and community centers. The extra $20 million, added under Section 506 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, is intended to help these places prepare for the worst. This could mean funding for developing better security plans, training staff on how to react during an incident, or providing technical know-how to improve safety measures.
Defining the Threat: Active Shooters and Targeted Violence
The legislation specifically defines the types of threats it targets. 'Mass violence' includes both 'active shooter' incidents – where someone is actively trying to kill people with a gun in a populated area – and 'targeted violence.' Targeted violence refers to situations where an attacker, often already known to law enforcement, specifically selects their target (be it individuals, groups, or institutions) beforehand. By defining these terms, the bill focuses the grant funding on preparing for these specific, devastating scenarios.
From Funding to Action: Training and Support
Beyond physical security upgrades, the funds are also meant to support the human element. This includes training for staff within public facilities – the people on the ground during an emergency. It also covers technical assistance, which could involve experts helping a venue assess risks or implement new protocols. Additionally, a portion of the funding is directed towards compensating victims of such violence, acknowledging the devastating aftermath these events leave behind. The practical impact aims to make the places we visit daily better prepared and equipped to prevent or mitigate mass violence events.