Wednesday, Governor Scott Walker (R) signed Senate Bill 35, 48-hour waiting period repeal legislation, into law. SB 35 passed the Wisconsin State Senate on April 21 by a voice vote, then passed the Wisconsin State Assembly on June 9 by a voice vote.
SB 35 repeals the waiting period requirement and allows a licensed firearm dealer to transfer ownership of a handgun following notice from the Wisconsin Department of Justice that the background check indicates that the purchaser is not prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The 48-Hour Rule was first enacted in Wisconsin in 1976, prior to background checks on handgun sales. Due to the advent of instant background checks, such as the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), the 48-hour waiting period became an unnecessary time tax on both the purchaser and the dealer.
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