Sen. Cappelletti Leads Push For Firearm Purchase Waiting Period

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — State lawmakers in the Montgomery County area are leading the push for new legislation that would require a waiting period in Pennsylvania for firearm purchases.

State Sen. Amanda Cappelletti (D-17), who represents much of Montgomery and Delaware counties, announced that she would soon introduce legislation requiring a 72-hour waiting period before a firearm could be legally sold.

"More than 60 percent of firearm deaths are suicides; reducing a suicidal person’s access to highly lethal means is an important part of a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention," Cappelletti said in a memorandum to Senate colleagues. "Similarly, studies suggest that some of the factors that incite violence against others, such as anger and rage, can be short-lived."

The waiting period would allow an individual to cool off before they made an irreversible decision, lawmakers argue.

Companion legislation has been introduced in the House by another Montgomery County lawmaker, State Rep. Ben Sanchez.

Cappelletti cited support for waiting periods from groups like the American Medical Association and National PTA, as well as a majority of Americans and firearms owners.

Currently, 10 other states, including New Jersey and Maryland, have mandatory waiting periods for at least some firearms.

She added that waiting periods were just one facet of the fight against gun violence.

"As with any widespread, complex public health crisis, it will take a variety of solutions, policies, and interventions to resolve," she said.

House Bill 1306 has been introduced in the current legislative session.