Sen. Gianaris: Trump's Funding Cuts for Background Checks Necessitate Extension of Waiting Period

ASTORIA, N.Y. – Sen. Michael Gianaris today urged the state legislature to pass his Effective Background Check Act, which would extend the waiting period for background checks from 3 days to 10. Senator Gianaris renewed this push following news that the Trump administration is cutting funding for background checks in the federal budget.

“This is the worst time in our history to further erode responsible measures that keep guns away from dangerous people,” said Senator Michael Gianaris. “Improving background checks was necessary before the Trump funding cuts and is even more important now.”

Currently, there is a three-day waiting period for a background check to be completed before a seller can transfer a firearm to a purchaser. If the check is not completed in that time, the firearm may be sold without a background check at all. Over 300,000 background checks were not concluded in the three-day period in 2016 alone. Senator Gianaris’ proposal would extend the waiting period to 10 days so that proper background checks could be completed in all cases. 

Senator Gianaris’ bill would also require firearms dealers report to the police any attempts to make illegal gun purchases and would require employees of gun manufacturers and dealers to also undergo background checks.