The D.C. Council voted to temporarily waive the 10-day waiting period to purchase a gun in the city, a move meant to appease gun rights advocates upset that the lack of a licensed firearm dealer has left D.C residents without a legal means to buy guns.
The District’s only federally licensed gun dealer has run into issues with is lease, forcing him to shutter his doors. Federal law prohibits guns bought in one state to be taken into another jurisdiction without a licensed dealer playing the role of middleman
“This was a matter of great concern of some gun owners who are enthusiasts,” said at-large Councilman Phil Mendelson, who introduced the bill waiving the waiting period. “We want to make sure they know that we get it.”
Waiving the waiting period doesn’t do much in real terms until there’s a gun dealer with a federal license in the city. Mendelson said it’s his understanding that a dealer will open doors within a month. The bill waives the 10-day waiting period for the next three months.
