COOL OFF Act
Rep. Krishnamoorthi Introduces COOL OFF Act to Require 3-Day Waiting Period for Handgun Purchases
The COOL OFF Act is currently in the early stages of the legislative process after being sent to the House Committee on the Judiciary for review. No further actions are scheduled at this time, and the bill is considered to be moving slowly as it waits for committee consideration.
Legislative Progress
This bill is supported only by Democrats and faces strong opposition from the other party, making it very unlikely to pass in the current political climate.
Key Points
- The bill creates a mandatory 3-business-day waiting period before anyone can receive a handgun. This applies to both licensed dealer sales and private transfers between individuals who are not licensed firearms dealers.
From policy text
“it shall be unlawful for a person not licensed under this chapter, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, to receive a handgun from another person not licensed under this chapter unless at least 3 business days (meaning a day on which State offices are open) have elapsed since the recipient most recently offered to take possession of the handgun.”
View in full text - Law enforcement officers, military members acting in their official duties, and armed private security professionals are exempt from the waiting period when receiving handguns for work purposes.
From policy text
“the transferee is a law enforcement agency or any law enforcement officer, armed private security professional, or member of the armed forces, to the extent the officer, professional, or member is acting within the course and scope of employment and official duties”
View in full text - Family loans of handguns are exempt from the waiting period. This includes transfers between spouses, domestic partners, parents and children, siblings, aunts or uncles and nieces or nephews, and grandparents and grandchildren.
From policy text
“the transfer is a loan between spouses, between domestic partners, between parents and their children, between siblings, between aunts or uncles and their nieces or nephews, or between grandparents and their grandchildren, for a lawful purpose”
View in full text - Emergency transfers to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm are allowed without waiting. Temporary transfers at shooting ranges, for hunting, or while in the transferor's presence are also exempt.
From policy text
“the transfer is temporary and necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm, if the possession by the transferee lasts only as long as immediately necessary to prevent the imminent death or great bodily harm”
View in full text - Violating the waiting period requirement carries criminal penalties. The law would take effect 90 days after being signed, giving gun dealers, buyers, and sellers time to adjust.
From policy text
“The amendments made by this section shall apply to conduct engaged in after the 90-day period that begins with the date of the enactment of this Act.”
View in full text
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Milestones
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
3 articles10th Circuit panel blocks New Mexico's 7-day waiting period on gun purchases
A federal appeals court ruled that New Mexico's waiting period likely infringes on Second Amendment rights. The court noted that 'cooling-off periods' do not fit into historically grounded exceptions to the right to bear arms, a ruling that could impact similar 3-day laws in states like Colorado.
New Mexico 7-Day Gun Waiting Period Likely Unconstitutional
The Tenth Circuit found that New Mexico's law requiring a waiting period before taking possession of a firearm likely violates the Second Amendment. The ruling highlights the legal hurdles facing federal and state 'cooling-off' mandates intended to prevent impulsive violence and suicides.
Federal Appeals Court Blocks New Mexico's Gun Sales Waiting Period
A divided three-judge panel issued a preliminary injunction against the waiting period requirement, determining that blanket delays on gun sales fall outside the scope of historical firearms regulation. This marks the first time a federal appellate court has questioned such laws since Bruen.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
COOL OFF Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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