Suicide attempts are often impulsive, singular episodes that involve little planning.The immediate purchase and acquisition of a gun allows people to act on temporary emotions and impulses, which can increase the risk of both gun suicide and gun homicide. By delaying immediate access to firearms, waiting periods create an important “cooling off” period that can help prevent impulsive acts of gun violence, including gun homicides and suicides. Waiting periods for the possession of firearms are a commonsense way to prevent impulsive, volatile acts of gun violence.Ī waiting period law requires a certain number of days to elapse between the purchase of a firearm and when the buyer can actually take possession of that gun.
