Title: Exception to the Waiting Period for Purchasing and Delivering Handguns

Summary: Exempting the purchase of a handgun by a qualified law enforcement officer or a qualified retired law enforcement officer from the 3-day waiting period, etc.

Full Text:
An act relating to an exception to the waiting period for purchasing and delivering handguns; amending s. 790.0655, F.S.; exempting the purchase of a handgun by a qualified law enforcement officer or a qualified retired law enforcement officer from the 3-day waiting period; providing a contingent effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Section 790.0655, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 790.0655 Purchase and delivery of handguns; mandatory waiting period; exceptions; penalties.  (1)(a) There shall be a mandatory 3-day waiting period, which shall be days, excluding weekends and legal holidays, between the purchase and the delivery at retail of any handgun.  Purchase  means the transfer of money or other valuable consideration to the retailer.  Handgun  means a firearm capable of being carried and used by one hand, such as a pistol or revolver.  Retailer  means and includes every person engaged in the business of making sales at retail or for distribution, or use, or consumption, or storage to be used or consumed in this state, as defined in s. 212.02(13). (b) Records of handgun sales must be available for inspection by any law enforcement agency, as defined in s. 934.02, during normal business hours. (2) The 3-day waiting period does shall not apply in the following circumstances: (a) When a handgun is being purchased by a holder of a concealed weapon weapons permit as defined in s. 790.06 or by a qualified law enforcement officer or qualified retired law enforcement officer who has a firearms proficiency verification card authorized by s. 943.132.(b) To a trade-in of another handgun. (3) It is a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084: (a) For any retailer, or any employee or agent of a retailer, to deliver a handgun before the expiration of the day waiting period, subject to the exceptions provided in subsection (2). (b) For a purchaser to obtain delivery of a handgun by fraud, false pretense, or false representation. Section 2. This act shall take effect on the effective date of the amendment to the State Constitution proposed in SJR ____ or a similar joint resolution, if approved by a vote of the electors in the general election held in November 2016 or at an earlier special election specifically authorized by law for such purpose.