Delaware bill extends gun background check waiting period

A state House committee is set to consider a bill that would extend the amount of time for federal officials to conduct background checks on potential gun buyers.

Under federal law, a dealer cannot sell or transfer a firearm to a potential buyer until a background check has been done, or until three days have elapsed since the background check was requested.

The bill to be discussed Wednesday extends the amount of time that a buyer might have to wait for a background check to be done from three days to 30 days.

Supporters say the current federal law is inadequate and sometimes results in guns being sold to people who should not possess them.