H.R.3039 - Prioritizing Resources for Outreach, Safety, Violence Prevention, Youth Empowerment and Resilience Act of 2025; PROSPER Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 3039, the PROSPER Act of 2025, aims to reduce youth gun violence by authorizing the Attorney General to award grants to eligible entities for youth gun violence prevention programs. These programs will focus on evidence-informed, culturally competent, and trauma-informed strategies. The bill allocates $25 million annually from 2026 to 2030 for these programs, drawn from existing juvenile justice program appropriations.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would lead to the establishment and funding of various youth gun violence prevention programs across the country. These programs would likely be implemented by institutions of higher education, Indian Tribe government agencies, community-based organizations, and local government agencies. The intended outcome is a reduction in youth gun violence through targeted interventions and support systems.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced Youth Gun Violence: Direct funding for prevention programs aims to decrease incidents of gun violence among young people.
- Trauma-Informed Care: Prioritizes healing from past trauma, addressing root causes of violence.
- Community Engagement: Fosters safer community environments and strengthens community bonds.
- Skill Development: Promotes youth empowerment through leadership, conflict management, and communication skills.
- Access to Resources: Connects young people and families with firearm safety education and mental health support.
Potential Disadvantages
- Limited Scope: The $25 million annual allocation may be insufficient to address the scale of youth gun violence across the nation.
- Bureaucratic Hurdles: Grant application and management processes could delay or hinder program implementation.
- Lack of Law Enforcement Involvement: Excluding law enforcement agencies as eligible entities may limit the effectiveness of certain prevention strategies.
- Potential for Mismanagement: Funds could be misallocated or used inefficiently by recipient organizations.
- Unproven Effectiveness: The success of the programs depends on the effectiveness of the chosen strategies and the ability to engage at-risk youth.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's focus on public safety and community well-being aligns with the Constitution's broad goals of ensuring domestic tranquility and promoting the general welfare, as stated in the Preamble. The Second Amendment, which protects the right to bear arms, is not directly infringed upon by this bill, as it focuses on violence prevention rather than gun control. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, but the federal government has the power to appropriate funds for the general welfare.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).