House lawmakers barely passed a bill Thursday altering how Delaware adheres to a federal background check system when it comes to buying a gun.
Firearm dealers currently have to wait three days if a background check is flagged by federal officials before selling a gun, but can legally do so if it’s not processed in that time.
This bill would extend that waiting period to 30 days, which National Rifle Association lobbyist Rick Armitage says is unconstitutional.
“[The National Instant Criminal Background Check System] is an existing federal background system, not a state system, and this bill attempts to invalidate the existing three business day waiting period that is crafted in federal statute and regulations that dictate how NICS must operate.”
Earlier this year, some House Democrats sent a letter to the state’s congressional delegation urging them to modernize NICS.
They say such a move isn’t illegal, pointing to at least 18 other states that have also increased wait times on gun purchases.
An amendment added to the bill exempts current and some former law enforcement officers from the waiting period.
It now goes to the Senate for consideration.
