Hillsborough County extends the waiting period in gun purchases.

Share

In a move prompted by the Parkland high school shooting, the waiting period to purchase a firearm in one Florida county is now five days.

Hillsborough County Commissioners on Wednesday voted 5-2 to lengthen the so-called “cooling off period” from three days to five despite protests from local gun store owners and Second Amendment activists. 

State law prohibits local governments from passing gun control measures, but the state Constitution, which mandates a three-day waiting period on handgun purchases, allows counties the flexibility to make it five days.

Critics of the plan say there’s no evidence that extending “cooling-off” periods works. Critics say the measure will drive customers to gun stores in neighboring counties that don’t have the longer waiting period.

Voting for the proposal were Commissioners Victor Crist, Al Higgenbotham, Pat Kemp, Les Miller,  and Sandy Murman. Commissioner Miller proposed the extension. 

Commissioners Ken Hagan and Stacy White voted no. 

 

You may also like

cars on a highway left lane driving
Environmental group responds after state turns down $320 million in federal funding to reduce tailpipe pollution

Listen:   The Florida Department of Transportation turned down $320...

The Scoop: WMNF Daily News Digest
The Scoop: Fri., December 8, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF

Police officer arrested A St. Petersburg Police Officer, Christian Collins,...

flamingo
Will the Legislature designate the American flamingo as the Florida state bird?

A bill would designate the American flamingo as the Florida...

The Epidemic of Loneliness

There is an epidemic of loneliness in our society that...

Ways to listen

WMNF is listener-supported. That means we don't advertise like a commercial station, and we're not part of a university.

Ways to support

WMNF volunteers have fun providing a variety of needed services to keep your community radio station alive and kickin'.

Follow us on Instagram