Governor Walker Signs SB 35, Repealing 48-hour Waiting Period

Fairfax, Va. – The National Rifle Association scored another victory for gun rights in Wisconsin today when Governor Scott Walker signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 35. The new law eliminates a 48-hour waiting period on all point-of-sale handgun purchases in the state.  

“This important measure marks the end of an antiquated law that’s served as nothing but a needless burden on law-abiding gun owners in the Badger state,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “We applaud the state legislature for making the preservation of Second Amendment rights a priority.”

SB 35 repeals a 1979 law enacted to allow time for background checks, and to create a so-called “cooling off” period for someone intent on committing a crime.  Today, background checks can be completed while a customer is still in the store, and statistics routinely show waiting periods have no impact on homicide rates. In fact, studies show crime rates are higher in states with a waiting period than in those without. 

“On behalf of all NRA members and Second Amendment supporters in Wisconsin, the NRA would like to thank SB 35’s lead sponsors, Senator Van Wanggaard and Representative Romaine Quinn, as well as Governor Scott Walker,” concluded Cox.

Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.