DELAND, Fla. – The Volusia County Council in Florida unanimously voted to move forward with a plan to repeal local gun laws that require a three-day waiting period and background check for private gun sales. The ordinance will undergo further voting before it is officially repealed. The law currently applies to private sellers at gun shows held at the Volusia County Fairgrounds.
The proposal to lift these restrictions was put forth by District 3 Councilman Danny Robins and supported by other council members who believe that these rules infringe upon Second Amendment rights. They argue that law-abiding citizens are being punished and that a waiting period will not prevent individuals with criminal intent from obtaining firearms.
However, Deltona City Commissioner Dana McCool opposes the repeal, sharing a personal story of her mother’s tragic suicide committed with a gun purchased without a waiting period. She emphasizes the need to protect those who may be vulnerable and unable to defend themselves.
The Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, cautions against lifting the restrictions. They argue that repealing the law could attract individuals who wish to immediately acquire firearms for violent or criminal purposes. Erin Earp, a policy attorney for the center, explains that it would create a loophole for individuals who cannot pass background checks or are unwilling to wait three days.
Robins, on the other hand, argues that law enforcement can still petition for risk protection orders, allowing guns to be removed from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others. He expresses his desire for citizens in Volusia County to have the ability to defend themselves.
Earp counters this argument, stating that risk protection orders are not a complete replacement for background checks and waiting periods. Without these measures, unchecked gun sales and the potential for immediate mass shootings could arise.
While the debate continues, the Harvard Business School study reveals that waiting period laws in the United States from 1970 to 2014 reduced gun homicides by approximately 17%. This finding adds complexity to the discussion around freedom and public safety.
As the repeal of these local gun laws moves forward, it remains to be seen how the balance between individual rights and public safety will be navigated in Volusia County.