If you buy a handgun from a licensed dealer, you'd have to wait three business days after the background check is initiated before you can take it home. The same three-day waiting period applies to private sales between individuals. There are exceptions: law enforcement officers, military members, and armed security professionals acting in their official duties are exempt. Family members can lend handguns to each other, and the waiting period doesn't apply in situations where someone faces imminent danger. Temporary transfers at shooting ranges or while hunting are also excluded. The law would take effect 90 days after passage.
Congressional Summary
Choosing Our Own Lives Over Fast Firearms Act or the COOL OFF Act This bill establishes a three-day waiting period for certain handgun transfers. Specifically, the bill makes it unlawful for a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to sell or transfer a handgun to an unlicensed individual unless three business days have elapsed since the licensee initiated a background check. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to one year in prison, or both. Additionally, the bill makes it unlawful for an unlicensed individual to receive a handgun from another unlicensed individual unless at least three business days have elapsed since the recipient most recently offered to take possession of the handgun. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to five years in prison, or both. The three-day waiting period does not apply to certain handgun transfers, such as for a loan between spouses for a lawful purpose.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-07-23
- Date Added
- 2026-03-30