COOL OFF Act

Law enforcement and military exemptions: Section 2(b) adds paragraph (7)(A) to exempt law enforcement agencies, law enforcement officers, armed private security professionals, and members of the armed forces from the waiting period when they are acting within the course and scope of their employment and official duties. This allows professionals who need firearms for their jobs to receive them without a delay.

Family loans: Section 2(b) adds paragraph (7)(B) to allow loans of handguns between certain family members for a lawful purpose without the waiting period. Covered relatives include spouses, domestic partners, parents and children, siblings, aunts or uncles and their nieces or nephews, and grandparents and grandchildren.

Emergency protection: Section 2(b) adds paragraph (7)(C) to exempt temporary handgun transfers that are necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm. The possession must last only as long as immediately necessary, allowing people to quickly get protection in a crisis.

Controlled temporary use: Section 2(b) adds paragraph (7)(D) to allow temporary transfers without a waiting period if the use is exclusively at a shooting range or gallery, used for hunting, trapping, or fishing under specific conditions, or while in the presence of the transferor, provided the transferor has no reason to believe the transferee is prohibited or will commit a crime.

Delayed handgun receipt for private transfers: Section 2(a) adds subsection (aa)(1) to make it unlawful for unlicensed people to receive a handgun from another unlicensed person unless at least 3 business days have passed since the recipient offered to take possession. This delays individuals from obtaining a handgun.

Delayed handgun receipt from dealers: Section 2(b) amends Section 922(t)(1) to require that 3 business days must have elapsed since a firearms licensee contacted the system before a handgun can be transferred, adding a wait time for buyers purchasing from licensed dealers.

Criminal penalties: Section 2(c) amends Section 924(a)(1)(B) to add the new waiting period rules to the list of offenses subject to penalties, meaning individuals who violate the 3-day waiting period rules face legal penalties.