Jeff Holcomb Calls to Waive Mandatory Firearm Waiting Period for LEO, Other Personnel

A bill sponsored by Rep. Jeff Holcomb (R-Spring Hill) would waive the mandatory three-day waiting period of firearm purchases for law enforcement officers, correctional officers, or service members of the United States Armed Forces.

Jeff Holcomb detailed his bill to the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Thursday.

"If you walk into a gun store to purchase a handgun, upon passing the background check, you would then have to wait three days to walk home with a gun. Cooling off period, they say,"  Holcomb said. "However, you can avoid the three-day wait if you have a concealed carry permit. The holder could receive the handgun that day after the completion of the background check."

Rep. Mike Giallombardo joined Holcomb in filing the bill in early February. Sen. Jay Collins (R-Tampa) filed a similar Senate version in February as well.

"What my bill allows is that if you are a law enforcement officer, corrections officer, correctional probation officer, or military service member, you can then have the same option as the concealed carry permit holder," Holcomb added.

The representative called the bill a "no-brainer." Rep. Tom Fabricio (R-Miami Lakes) also said the bill was "great", noting police officers and first responders were vital to the community.

"All of these patriots, well-meaning law enforcement officers, corrections officers, correctional probation officers, military service members, receive more firearms training, more vetting, than a concealed carry permit holder in all honesty," Holcomb continued.

Rep. Kelly Skidmore (D-Boca Raton) asked Holcomb if the bill applied to active as well as retired military.

"It is active by definition in the statute," Holcomb responded.

The bill unanimously passed the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee 18-0. If fully passed, HB 383/SB 490 would take effect on Oct. 1.