Stop Gang Violence Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14]
- Committees
- Judiciary Committee (primary)
- Last action
- May 15, 2026
Bottom line
This bill incentivizes local law enforcement to share gang-related crime data with federal authorities by linking it to priority consideration for federal grant funding.
What it actually does
This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to grant priority consideration for Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (Byrne-JAG) to local governments. This priority is given to jurisdictions that include information on offenses suspected to be gang-related in their reports to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, specifically mentioning the National Gang Intelligence Center.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that enhancing the reporting of gang affiliation information to federal agencies like the FBI's National Gang Intelligence Center is crucial for developing a more accurate national picture of gang activity. This improved data can lead to more effective strategies for combating gang violence, better resource allocation, and ultimately safer communities by allowing federal and local law enforcement to coordinate efforts more efficiently.
Opponents contend
Critics might contend that linking grant priority to gang affiliation reporting could incentivize over-reporting or misclassification of individuals as gang-affiliated, potentially leading to civil liberties concerns or disproportionate targeting of certain communities. There could also be concerns about data privacy and how such sensitive information is collected, stored, and used, especially without clear guidelines or oversight.
The bill text is extremely short and can be read in under a minute, making it highly accessible for immediate understanding.
Section 2
Priority for Byrne-JAG Grants Based on Gang Affiliation Reporting
This section modifies existing law to establish a new criterion for receiving priority consideration for federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (Byrne-JAG). Specifically, units of local government that include information on offenses suspected to be gang-related in their reports to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, including the National Gang Intelligence Center, will be given preferential treatment when applying for these grants.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision will improve the quality and quantity of data on gang activity, which is essential for effective crime prevention and intervention strategies. By incentivizing reporting, the federal government can gain a clearer understanding of the scope and nature of gang violence across the country, leading to better-informed policy decisions and resource allocation.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that this provision could pressure local agencies to label crimes as 'gang-related' without sufficient evidence to qualify for priority funding, potentially leading to misclassification and an overestimation of gang activity. Concerns could also be raised about the potential for racial profiling or disproportionate targeting of minority communities under the guise of gang enforcement, especially if 'gang affiliation information' is not clearly defined or subject to strict oversight.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the desire for comprehensive data on gang violence to inform federal strategy against potential concerns regarding the accuracy and fairness of data collection practices at the local level, and the risk of incentivizing broad classifications.