Florida moves to end 3-day gun purchase mandatory waiting period amid NRA lawsuit

Florida is moving to end the mandatory 3-day waiting period for gun purchases, citing unconstitutionality in response to a lawsuit.

Residents in Cape Coral and Fort Myers have expressed differing opinions on the potential change.

"If someone wants to cause a problem, they're not going to wait three days," said Charles, a Cape Coral resident.

Tyson Sandoval of Fort Myers shared his perspective.

"I see both sides. You know, criminals or people who are not supposed to have guns could go in there, grab a gun that same day, and who knows what they might do with it," Sandoval said.

The three-day waiting period was implemented in 2018 following the Parkland High School shooting, which left 17 people dead. Sandoval noted that he can already bypass the waiting period because he has a concealed carry permit.

"I have my concealed carry permit. As soon as I go in, as long as they have the weapon in stock, I can walk right out with it after the background check, of course," Sandoval said.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is advocating for the change, citing constitutional rights. On Friday, he posted on X:

"Every government office, including mine, exists to protect your God-given rights as enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. That's why we're settling a landmark federal case that declares Florida's three-day firearm purchase waiting period unconstitutional under the Second Amendment."

Mark Fiacable, owner of Florida FFL on Alico Road, is already considering the implications of the potential change. He believes eliminating the waiting period could reduce interest in firearms training classes.

"I know it's going to reduce people's desire to get trained because they're going to think they don't need to. One reason many people get training and obtain a concealed carry permit is to eliminate the three-day wait," Fiacable said.

Fiacable also commented on the state's role in pushing for the change.

"It'll probably happen because the state, amazingly, is asking the judge to rule it unconstitutional," he said.

Others, like Cape Coral resident Yvonne Warner, oppose the idea.

"That's not something I would be interested in seeing happen. I feel like if you're going to use it for whatever purpose, you can wait three days," Warner said.

A judge must sign off on the agreement before the three-day waiting period can officially be eliminated.