H.R. 4688 explained · 119th Congress · Pending in Congress
COOL OFF Act
Cosponsors: 25 (25 D, 0 R) · per Congress.gov, 2026-10-11
Introduced: 2025-07-23
Latest action (2025-07-23): Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
What H.R. 4688 does, in plain terms
Choosing Our Own Lives Over Fast Firearms Act or the COOL OFF Act This bill establishes a three-day waiting period for certain handgun transfers. Specifically, the bill makes it unlawful for a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to sell or transfer a handgun to an unlicensed individual unless three business days have elapsed since the licensee initiated a background check. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to one year in prison, or both. Additionally, the bill makes it unlawful for an unlicensed individual to receive a handgun from another unlicensed individual unless at least three business days have elapsed since the recipient most recently offered to take possession of the handgun. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to five years in prison, or both. The three-day waiting period does not apply to certain handgun transfers, such as for a loan between spouses for a lawful purpose.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service, via Congress.gov.
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