# C.R.S. § 18-12-115: 18-12-115. Waiting period for firearms sales - background check required - penalty - except > Colorado · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A12_P1_S18-12-115 ## Section - **Citation:** C.R.S. § 18-12-115 - **Heading:** 18-12-115. Waiting period for firearms sales - background check required - penalty - except - **Jurisdiction:** Colorado - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** CO Code / Title 18 / Article 12 / Part 1 / Section 18-12-115 ## Text 18-12-115. Waiting period for firearms sales - background check required - penalty - exceptions. (1) (a) It is unlawful for any person who sells a firearm, including a licensed gun dealer as defined in section 18-12-506 (6), to deliver the firearm to the purchaser until the later in time occurs: (I) Three days after a licensed gun dealer has initiated a background check of the purchaser that is required pursuant to state or federal law; or (II) The seller has obtained approval for the firearm transfer from the bureau after it has completed any background check required by state or federal law. (b) A person who violates this subsection (1) commits a civil infraction and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of five hundred dollars; except that for a second or subsequent offense, the fine shall be not less than five hundred dollars and not more than five thousand dollars. (2) This section does not apply to: (a) The sale of an antique firearm, as defined in 18 U.S.C. sec. 921 (a)(16), as amended, or a curio or relic, as defined in 27 CFR 478.11, as amended; (b) The sale of a firearm by a person serving in the armed forces of the United States who will be deployed outside of the United States within the next thirty days to any family member, including: (I) Regardless of age, a biological, adopted, or foster child; a stepchild or legal ward; a child of a domestic partner; a child to whom the seller stands in loco parentis; or a person to whom the seller stood in loco parentis when the person was a minor; (II) A biological, adoptive, or foster parent; a stepparent or legal guardian of the seller or seller's spouse or domestic partner; or a person who stood in loco parentis when the seller or seller's spouse or domestic partner was a minor child; (III) A person to whom the seller is legally married under the laws of any state or a domestic partner of a seller; (IV) A grandparent, grandchild, or sibling, whether a biological, foster, adoptive, or step relationship, of the seller or seller's spouse or domestic partner; or (V) As shown by the seller, any other individual with whom the seller has a significant personal bond that is or is like a family relationship, regardless of biological or legal relationship; or (c) A firearm transfer for which a background check is not required pursuant to state or federal law. (3) Pursuant to the authority granted in section 29-11.7-103, a local government may enact an ordinance, regulation, or other law concerning a waiting period. ## Nearby sections - [C.R.S. § 18-12-101 18-12-101. Peace officer affirmative defense - definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A12_P1_S18-12-101.md) - [C.R.S. § 18-12-102 18-12-102. Possessing a dangerous or illegal weapon - affirmative defense - definition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A12_P1_S18-12-102.md) - [C.R.S. § 18-12-103 18-12-103. Possession of a defaced firearm](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A12_P1_S18-12-103.md) - [C.R.S. § 18-12-103.5 18-12-103.5. Defaced firearms - contraband - destruction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A12_P1_S18-12-103.5.md) - [C.R.S. § 18-12-104 18-12-104. Defacing a firearm](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A12_P1_S18-12-104.md) - [C.R.S. § 18-12-105 18-12-105. Unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon - unlawful possession of weapons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A12_P1_S18-12-105.md) - [C.R.S. § 18-12-105.1 18-12-105.1. Permits for concealed weapons - liability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A12_P1_S18-12-105.1.md) - [C.R.S. § 18-12-105.3 18-12-105.3. Unlawful carrying of a firearm in government buildings - penalty - definitions -](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A12_P1_S18-12-105.3.md) - [C.R.S. § 18-12-105.5 18-12-105.5. Unlawfully carrying a weapon - unlawful possession of weapons - school, college,](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A12_P1_S18-12-105.5.md) - [C.R.S. § 18-12-105.6 18-12-105.6. Limitation on local ordinances regarding firearms in private vehicles](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A12_P1_S18-12-105.6.md) - [C.R.S. § 18-12-106 18-12-106. Prohibited use of weapons - definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A12_P1_S18-12-106.md) - [C.R.S. § 18-12-106.5 18-12-106.5. Use of stun guns](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A12_P1_S18-12-106.5.md) - [C.R.S. § 18-12-107 18-12-107. Penalty for second offense](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A12_P1_S18-12-107.md) - [C.R.S. § 18-12-107.5 18-12-107.5. Illegal discharge of a firearm - penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A12_P1_S18-12-107.5.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A12_P1_S18-12-115. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.