The debate over waiting periods, and whether they are effective, might take on a new dimension in Illinois, after Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner recently signed a bill establishing a 72-hour wait for the purchase of all firearms, according to the State Journal-Register.
Waiting periods for buying guns are popular on the political Left. The claim is that they save lives. Studies say so. But is that accurate?
According to a CNN report in October of last year, waiting periods could save an estimated 1,700 lives annually. That pronouncement was based on a study by the Harvard Business School that had just been released.
But a different perspective came in a 2015 report from Politifact Wisconsin after state Sen. Van Wanggaard insisted that there was no statistical evidence that a handgun waiting period “reduces violence whatsoever.” After going through a bunch of data, Politifact summed up: “In a nutshell, except for suicide, the studies show Wanggaard’s claim about waiting periods and violence is largely correct.”
In New Jersey, where citizens must wait to obtain a permit to purchase a handgun, the opinion among Second Amendment activists is that the law costs lives, and they point to the tragic story of Carol Bowne as proof. While she was waiting for her permit to be approved by the police in Berlin Township, she was murdered by a man against whom she had a restraining order. She died from stab wounds in the driveway of her home.
If waiting periods on guns are okay, what about waiting periods on other things?
What about having to wait before being able to obtain legal counsel in the event of an arrest? Imagine the public reaction to having police tell suspects, “Sure you can get an attorney, but you have to wait 48 hours and in the meantime, you can chat with us.”
How about the sensitive subject of abortion? Here’s what the American Civil Liberties Union has said: “Government-mandated delays serve no purpose other than to make obtaining an abortion more difficult, dangerous, and expensive for the women who are least able to bear the burden of an unwanted pregnancy.”
So, the Left believes that waiting periods are good, but then they are bad, depending upon the issue.
What is your opinion of 72-hour wait periods? Do they save lives? How can the antigunners justify their claim when a concealed carrier can make the purchase while carrying a firearm, but then have to wait to pick it up? Share your analysis or opinion the the comment section.
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Dave Workman is the Senior Editor at the Liberty Park Press.
I have owned and used all kinds of firearms in my lifetime. I still own my first rifle/shotgun..Savage 219/220 that my Grandfather gave me. I am 70 now. I NEVER sell a firearm.
What I DO NOT understand about waiting periods except that time that is needed for PICS. Here are my thoughts on the waiting period… If you are dead set on committing a crime..
1) and you already own a firearm… why buy another… You can use one already in your possession.
2) if determined… there are means to “purchase” a firearm illegally. The Bad Guys do it ALL the time.
3) “Beg, borrow or steal” is other methods.
This is why I think that 72 hour “waiting period” is fairly useless…
And HOW IN HEii did anyone come up with “save an estimated 1,700 lives annually”?
If bad oral hygiene affects the heart.. how many lives are saved annually just by brushing your teeth??? Hmmmm…
And like what was previously noted.. Knives DO the job as well, just more personal. Will we get to the point of a waiting period to buy battery acid? Seems Great Britain has that issue as we speak. So..for me.. a NO beyond the PICS ( Pennsylvania Instant Check System… for those from Rio Linda, CA.)
The idea of a waiting period is a good concept if a person is emotionally wound up. It allows a time for calm reflection on ones actions, accommodates planning and weighing good versus bad choices. It is hard to imagine a licensed gun dealer being unable to perceive an emotionally over-wrought customer trying to buy a weapon, given this atmosphere of SUE, SUE society we live in now. I don’t see that any criminal activity couldn’t withstand the extra time for planning, if they intended to legally purchase the weapons. It looks like another way to punish law abiding citizens who want to be able to exercise their “unalienable rights”.
Just another example of our 2nd Amendment Rights being infringed upon in the disguise of protecting the public. What about my rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.