Fla. Stat. § 790.0655
Purchase and delivery of firearms; mandatory waiting period; exceptions; penalties
Redline — January 1, 2011 → current.View current text →
Current — January 1, 2025
As of January 1, 2011
(1)(a) There shall be a mandatory 3-day waiting period, which shall be 3 days, excluding weekends and legal holidays, between the purchase and the delivery at retail of any handgun. “Purchase” means the transfer of money or other valuable consideration to the retailer. “Handgun” means a firearm capable of being carried and used by one hand, such as a pistol or revolver. “Retailer” means and includes every person engaged in the business of making sales at retail or for distribution, or use, or consumption, or storage to be used or consumed in this state, as defined in s. 212.02(13).
(1)(a) A mandatory waiting period is imposed between the purchase and delivery of a firearm. The mandatory waiting period is 3 days, excluding weekends and legal holidays, or expires upon the completion of the records checks required under s. 790.065, whichever occurs later.
(b) Records of handgun sales must be available for inspection by any law enforcement agency, as defined in s. 934.02, during normal business hours.
(b) Records of firearm sales must be available for inspection by any law enforcement agency, as defined in s. 934.02, during normal business hours.
(2) The 3-day waiting period shall not apply in the following circumstances: (a) When a handgun is being purchased by a holder of a concealed weapons permit as defined in s. 790.06. (b) To a trade-in of another handgun.
(2) The waiting period does not apply in the following circumstances: (a) When a firearm is being purchased by a holder of a concealed weapons or concealed firearms license. (b) To a trade-in of another firearm. (c) To the purchase of a rifle or shotgun, upon a person’s successfully completing a minimum of a 16-hour hunter safety course and possessing a hunter safety certification card issued under s. 379.3581. A person who is exempt from the hunter safety course requirements under s. 379.3581 and holds a valid Florida hunting license is exempt from the mandatory waiting period under this section for the purchase of a rifle or shotgun.
(3) It is a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084: (a) For any retailer, or any employee or agent of a retailer, to deliver a handgun before the expiration of the 3-day waiting period, subject to the exceptions provided in subsection (2). (b) For a purchaser to obtain delivery of a handgun by fraud, false pretense, or false representation.
(3) It is a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084: (a) For any retailer, or any employee or agent of a retailer, to deliver a firearm before the expiration of the waiting period, subject to the exceptions provided in subsection (2). (b) For a purchaser to obtain delivery of a firearm by fraud, false pretense, or false representation.
(4) For purposes of this section, the term:
(a) “Holder of a concealed weapons or concealed firearms license” includes all of the following:
1. A person who holds a valid license issued under s. 790.06.
2. A law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer as those terms are defined in s. 943.10(1), (2), (3), (6), (7), (8), or (9).
3. A servicemember as defined in s. 250.01.
(b) “Purchase” means the transfer of money or other valuable consideration to the retailer.
(c) “Retailer” means and includes a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer engaged in the business of making firearm sales at retail or for distribution, or use, or consumption, or storage to be used or consumed in this state, as defined in s. 212.02(13).
Official source: Online Sunshine (Florida Legislature). Reproduced from public-domain Florida statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.