DeSantis Backs ‘Instant’ Background Checks as Florida Mulls Ending 3-Day Period for Gun Buyers

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday night he would support instant background checks on gun buyers as his state evaluates a new bill ending a mandatory three-day waiting period for the purchase of rifles and shotguns.

DeSantis said at a CNN town hall in Iowa that exceptions should be made for criminal convictions and mental health issues. He took his stance easing the law the same day as another school mass shooting killed a sixth grader and injured five in Perry, Iowa.

DeSantis emphasized his position as Florida moves to scuttle the “cooling off period” instituted following the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that killed 17 and injured 17 when DeSantis was still a representative.

The new bill would keep the waiting period in place for handguns, but would end it for others. The bill is expected to be considered during the state’s 60-day lawmaking session beginning Jan. 9.

Under existing Florida law, the mandatory waiting period is three days, excluding weekends and holidays — or the time it takes to complete a required criminal background check.

Florida’s Department of Law Enforcement said situations in which people are waiting for months on end for checks are rare, with 98% of all purchases being resolved in a manner of minutes. 

Following the original passage of the three-day cooling-off period — and Gov. Rick Scot signing it, DeSantis voiced his opposition to it.

Since then, gun rights advocates have unsuccessfully attempted to scale back the law.

DeSantis last year signed a law allowing gun owners in the state to carry concealed weapons without a permit.