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Cuomo Backs Bill To Extend Gun Purchase Waiting Period

Elaine Thompson
/
AP
Gun shop owner Tiffany Teasdale-Causer points a Ruger AR-15 semi-automatic rifle in her shop in November.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says he supports a State Assembly proposal that would extend the waiting period to purchase guns for up to 10 days.

Under current law, anyone who wants to buy a firearm in New York must undergo a background check that only takes a few minutes. Once they pass, they are able to purchase a gun immediately.

If questions are raised through a background check, current law delays the purchase of a firearm for three days.

The proposal wouldn’t change the process for getting a pistol permit, which involves a background check that takes six months to complete.

Cuomo’s budget plan also proposes a measure that would force abusers in domestic violence cases to surrender their weapons.