The Florida House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill 111-0 on Wednesday that would exempt police officers, correctional officers, correctional probation officers, and service members of the United States Military from the mandatory three-day waiting period for firearm purchases.
Rep. Jeff Holcomb (R-Spring Hill) explained his bill (HB 383) on the House floor. The bill is also co-sponsored by Rep. Mike Giallombardo (R-Cape Coral).
"This bill allows for law enforcement officers, correction officers, correctional probation officers, and military service members to receive the same treatment as a concealed carry permit holder when it comes to the three-day waiting period for a gun purchase," Holcomb said.
"The bill also allows for correctional probation officers to the ability to conceal carry," Holcomb added.
In a previous committee, Holcomb argued that law enforcement officers already held plenty of experience to warrant an exemption.
"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 said.
Sen. Jay Collins (R-Tampa) filed a similar Senate version of the bill (SB 490). His bill has two more committee stops left.
Rep. Holcomb also introduced a bill to allow off-duty law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons or firearms at athletic events.
Both of Holcomb's pro-Second Amendment (2A) bills come after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill in 2023 that strengthened Florida's Second Amendment rights by allowing state residents to carry concealed weapons without a government-issued permit. At the time, Florida became the 26th state to enact Constitutional Carry legislation.
If fully passed by the Florida Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis into law, HB 383/SB 490 would take effect on July 1.
