Which States Have No Waiting Period to Buy a Gun?
The right to bear arms is a constitutional amendment in the United States, and the process of buying a gun varies from state to state. In recent years, there has been a lot of controversy and debate surrounding gun control, with some states having strict laws and others being more lenient. When it comes to waiting periods for buying a gun, some states have no waiting period at all, while others have a mandatory waiting period before you can take possession of your new firearm.
What is a Waiting Period?
A waiting period is a period of time that you must wait after purchasing a gun before you can take possession of it. This period is intended to give law enforcement and others a chance to investigate whether the gun buyer is prohibited from owning a gun under federal or state law.
States with No Waiting Period to Buy a Gun
There are currently nine states that have no waiting period for buying a gun:
• Alabama: Alabama is one of the states with the most relaxed gun laws. In Alabama, you can purchase a gun as soon as you pay for it.
• Arizona: In Arizona, you can purchase a gun immediately, but you do have to submit to a background check through the FBI.
• Arkansas: Arkansas allows you to purchase a gun as soon as you complete a background check and make the purchase.
• Florida: Florida law states that you can take possession of a gun after you pay for it, but there may be a delay depending on the length of time it takes to complete a background check.
• Kentucky: In Kentucky, you can purchase a gun as soon as you make the purchase, as long as you have passed a background check.
• Mississippi: Mississippi allows you to purchase a gun immediately after making the purchase, as long as you have completed a background check.
• New Hampshire: New Hampshire is a state with very lax gun laws. You can purchase a gun as soon as you make the purchase, as long as you have a permit from a firearms dealer.
• South Dakota: In South Dakota, you can purchase a gun immediately after making the purchase, as long as you have completed a background check.
• West Virginia: West Virginia allows you to purchase a gun as soon as you make the purchase, as long as you have completed a background check.
States with Waiting Periods
Not all states have no waiting period for buying a gun. Some states have mandatory waiting periods before you can take possession of your new firearm. Here are some states with waiting periods:
- California: In California, you must wait a minimum of 10 days before taking possession of your new gun.
- Colorado: Colorado requires a 72-hour waiting period before you can take possession of your new gun.
- Connecticut: In Connecticut, you must wait a minimum of 14 days before taking possession of your new gun.
- Delaware: Delaware requires a 24-hour waiting period before you can take possession of your new gun.
- Hawaii: In Hawaii, you must wait a minimum of 3 to 10 days before taking possession of your new gun.
- Maryland: Maryland requires a 7-day waiting period before you can take possession of your new gun.
- Massachusetts: Massachusetts requires a 10-day waiting period before you can take possession of your new gun.
- Minnesota: Minnesota requires a 3-day waiting period before you can take possession of your new gun.
- New Jersey: In New Jersey, you must wait a minimum of 2 to 10 days before taking possession of your new gun.
- New York: New York requires a 3 to 10-day waiting period before you can take possession of your new gun.
- Oregon: Oregon requires a 3 to 10-day waiting period before you can take possession of your new gun.
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania requires a 2-day waiting period before you can take possession of your new gun.
- Washington: Washington requires a 10-day waiting period before you can take possession of your new gun.
Conclusion
In the United States, the laws regarding waiting periods for buying a gun vary from state to state. While some states have no waiting period, others have mandatory waiting periods before you can take possession of your new firearm. It’s important to research the laws in your state before purchasing a gun.
