February 13, 2025

Congressman Maxwell Frost, Sen. Murphy Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation to Reestablish Office of Gun Violence Prevention

Pres. Donald Trump Dismantled the First of its Kind Office Earlier this Year

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WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) and Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) reintroduced the Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act, legislation to establish a permanent office focused on gun violence prevention in the U.S. Department of Justice.

Frost, who first introduced legislation in March of 2023 to create such an office, was instrumental in getting the Biden-Harris Administration to establish the first-ever Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) in the White House in September of 2023.

Since its establishment, the Office of Gun Violence Prevention has helped hundreds of Americans and countless communities by offering the first-ever federal response to mass shootings and gun violence, responding to crises when they happen, and connecting local governments and municipalities with resources to help victims and survivors.

OGVP also played a key role in implementing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and getting federal grant money to communities in need – including the City of Orlando who received a $1.5 million grant for their Community Violence Intervention program in October of 2023.

It took Donald Trump and his Administration less than 24 hours after taking office for them to dismantle and close the historic White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

“Today we are reintroducing the Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act because we will not let the critical, life-saving work and the love and support that this office has offered countless communities no longer exist,” said Rep. Maxwell Frost. “Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress would rather side with the gun lobby than protect our people. But the truth is that leaders like that aren’t just ignoring the gun violence crisis— they are enabling it. But here’s what this Administration doesn’t understand is that we don’t give up. The gun lobby? The politicians who’d rather send “thoughts and prayers” than actually save lives? We outwork them. We out organize them. And we rise above them. We are reintroducing this bill because when innocent lives are on the line, we refuse to back down.”

“The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention played a huge role in implementing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, helping drive down the number of gun deaths by 12 percent last year. It was wildly successful, so of course President Trump shut it down. This legislation would make the Office permanent at the Department of Justice to help state, local, and federal agencies work together to enforce gun safety laws and fund local gun violence prevention programs,” said Sen. Chris Murphy.

“Nothing is more essential to saving lives and protecting children than a federal Office of Gun Violence Prevention – during our tenure, we saw the two largest yearly drops in homicide in history and walking away from our solutions will put our communities in danger,” said Rob Wilcox, former Deputy Director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. “We now have a proven playbook for how an executive branch can maximize efforts to keep our communities safe through investing in community violence intervention and solving homicides, supporting survivors and cracking down on irresponsible members of the gun industry, and this bill ensures we have a permanent office to run that playbook.”

"GIFFORDS is proud to support the Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act introduced today by Senator Murphy and Congressman Frost. The Office of Gun Violence Prevention wasn't just a name—it was a proven force for safer communities that brought together law enforcement, public health experts, and community leaders to implement real solutions. We cannot allow this vital work to be undone with each change in administration. By making this office permanent through legislation, we send a clear message that protecting American lives from gun violence isn't a temporary commitment—it's a national priority that transcends partisan politics,” said GIFFORDS Vice President of Government and Political Affairs Vanessa N. Gonzalez.

“The Office of Gun Violence Prevention was more than just a policy decision. It was the first time we had a dedicated team inside the White House giving this crisis the attention it deserves,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. “We need leaders like Senator Murphy and Representative Frost—along with popular, common sense solutions—driving change to end gun violence in our communities. Our movement isn’t letting up. We’ll keep organizing, not just to protect our progress, but to push it forward.”

“The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention showed us what’s possible with a whole-of-government approach to fight gun violence. This office helped make a real difference in the fight to keep Americans safe, from driving historic drops in homicides to coordinating urgent resources for communities devastated by senseless acts of gun violence. The shuttering of this office, alongside Trump’s attack on gun safety measures, makes his priorities crystal clear: gun industry profits over American lives. Rep. Frost and Sen. Murphy understand what's at stake – American lives. Their bill would ensure this vital work continues regardless of who sits in the Oval Office. Congress must act to restore this office and the communities it served,” said Kris Brown, President of Brady.

“Over 1.2 million Americans have been shot since the Sandy Hook shooting tragedy and guns are the leading cause of death for American children and teens. The Biden Administration’s White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention was a landmark achievement. It saved lives by strengthening background checks, cracking down on ghost guns, promoting safe storage, and funding community-based solutions,” said Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance. “Homicide rates have declined because of these efforts. But just weeks into his second term, Donald Trump has declared war on these protections. His executive order doesn’t just dismantle progress—it actively puts American lives at risk. That is why we need Congress to step up to support the Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act. The safety of our communities should never depend on who sits in the Oval Office.”

“The Office of Gun Violence Prevention made real, tangible progress — it saved actual human lives. That’s a fact. But it was also a powerful symbol to survivors and young people across the country who yearn for a world where we don’t have to live in terror and fear of being shot anymore,” said Madelyn Cobb, March For Our Lives Policy Manager and a student at George Washington University. “That’s why we called for it back in 2019 at a Democratic Presidential forum, to be a clarion call while Trump callously ignored our pleas for safety in his first term. We’re incredibly happy that Rep. Frost and Sen. Murphy’s bill to codify this office into law is being introduced once again, in the shadow of its unceremonious closure under Trump. At a time when Trump is making it easier for gun violence to metastasize, it is the beacon of hope we need.”

The Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2025 includes 110 original cosponsors.

Specifically, the newly created Office of Gun Violence Prevention would:

Convene an Advisory Council of senior DOJ officials, survivors, community violence intervention providers, public health officials, medical professionals who provide trauma care, mental health clinicians, state and local public health department officials, teachers, members of student groups, and veterans.
Coordinate gun violence prevention efforts across federal agencies.
Identify gaps in data needed for gun violence prevention research, policy development, and strategy implementation, and develop a plan to collect and analyze the data.
Make policy recommendations.
Educate the general public about federal laws, regulations, and available grant programs, including awareness campaigns directed at firearm owners, parents and legal guardians of minors, and gun violence prevention professionals, that include education related to safe storage of firearms and suicide prevention.
Work to optimize the administration of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
Annually report information to Congress on gun violence in the United States, recommendations for policy initiatives to reduce gun violence, and a description of the Director’s activities.

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