{"id":207500,"date":"2024-10-12T14:01:59","date_gmt":"2024-10-12T19:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=207500"},"modified":"2024-10-12T14:02:04","modified_gmt":"2024-10-12T19:02:04","slug":"the-72-hour-rule-what-it-is-and-why-we-follow-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/the-72-hour-rule-what-it-is-and-why-we-follow-it\/","title":{"rendered":"The 72 Hour Rule: What It Is And Why We Follow It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-estimated-reading-time yoast-reading-time__wrapper\"><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-icon=\"clock\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:-0.1em\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"M12 8v4l3 3m6-3a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__spacer\" style=\"display:inline-block;width:1em\"><\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__descriptive-text\">Estimated reading time: <\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__reading-time\">7<\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__time-unit\"> minutes<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re doom scrolling on your phone and find a media-generated frenzy. Whatever the event was\u2014armed active killer in a school, spree killer in a shopping mall, seemingly random violence at a gas station\u2014it\u2019s sensational enough to run at the top of the news cycle. There\u2019s tragedy, trauma, terror\u2014all the \u201cT\u201d boxes are checked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Table of contents<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-what-is-the-72-hour-rule\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"the-72-hour-rule-what-it-is-and-why-we-follow-it\" title=\"The 72 Hour Rule: What It Is And Why We Follow It\" data-level=\"2\">What Is the 72 Hour Rule?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-more-than-one-72-hour-rule\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"the-72-hour-rule-what-it-is-and-why-we-follow-it\" title=\"The 72 Hour Rule: What It Is And Why We Follow It\" data-level=\"2\">More Than One 72-Hour Rule<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-why-wait-72-hours\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"the-72-hour-rule-what-it-is-and-why-we-follow-it\" title=\"The 72 Hour Rule: What It Is And Why We Follow It\" data-level=\"2\">Why wait 72 hours?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-application-in-other-fields\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"the-72-hour-rule-what-it-is-and-why-we-follow-it\" title=\"The 72 Hour Rule: What It Is And Why We Follow It\" data-level=\"2\">Application In Other Fields<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-help-or-hinder-gun-rights\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"the-72-hour-rule-what-it-is-and-why-we-follow-it\" title=\"The 72 Hour Rule: What It Is And Why We Follow It\" data-level=\"2\">Help Or Hinder Gun Rights<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-the-72-hour-rule-for-gun-sales\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"the-72-hour-rule-what-it-is-and-why-we-follow-it\" title=\"The 72 Hour Rule: What It Is And Why We Follow It\" data-level=\"2\">The 72 Hour Rule for Gun Sales<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-the-72-hour-rule-bottom-line\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"the-72-hour-rule-what-it-is-and-why-we-follow-it\" title=\"The 72 Hour Rule: What It Is And Why We Follow It\" data-level=\"2\">The 72 Hour Rule Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As the media spits out whatever details they\u2019ve stumbled across, real or not, you take them to your favored social media platform to state your opinion. Whether it\u2019s well-informed and accurate depends on a lot of things, but one factor remains key: how long has it been since the event in question? One hour? One day? It should be more. The 72 Hour Rule is something many in the firearms world adhere to for good reason. Here\u2019s why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/72-hour-rule-target-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"reactive target with holes in it\" class=\"wp-image-207510\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/72-hour-rule-target-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/72-hour-rule-target-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/72-hour-rule-target-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/72-hour-rule-target-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/72-hour-rule-target.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>(Before we dive into this, a quick disclaimer: This isn\u2019t legal advice and shouldn\u2019t be construed as such or used in the place of advice from a qualified attorney. This is simply information.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ar-15-72-hour-rule-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"AR-15 and gun rights\" class=\"wp-image-207520\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ar-15-72-hour-rule-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ar-15-72-hour-rule-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ar-15-72-hour-rule-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ar-15-72-hour-rule-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ar-15-72-hour-rule.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">When acts of violence involve firearms, misinformation abounds. That&#8217;s why it&#8217;s smart to wait before you voice your opinion. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Table of contents<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-what-is-the-72-hour-rule\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"the-72-hour-rule-what-it-is-and-why-we-follow-it\" title=\"The 72 Hour Rule: What It Is And Why We Follow It\" data-level=\"2\">What Is the 72 Hour Rule?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-more-than-one-72-hour-rule\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"the-72-hour-rule-what-it-is-and-why-we-follow-it\" title=\"The 72 Hour Rule: What It Is And Why We Follow It\" data-level=\"2\">More Than One 72-Hour Rule<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-why-wait-72-hours\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"the-72-hour-rule-what-it-is-and-why-we-follow-it\" title=\"The 72 Hour Rule: What It Is And Why We Follow It\" data-level=\"2\">Why wait 72 hours?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-application-in-other-fields\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"the-72-hour-rule-what-it-is-and-why-we-follow-it\" title=\"The 72 Hour Rule: What It Is And Why We Follow It\" data-level=\"2\">Application In Other Fields<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-help-or-hinder-gun-rights\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"the-72-hour-rule-what-it-is-and-why-we-follow-it\" title=\"The 72 Hour Rule: What It Is And Why We Follow It\" data-level=\"2\">Help Or Hinder Gun Rights<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-the-72-hour-rule-for-gun-sales\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"the-72-hour-rule-what-it-is-and-why-we-follow-it\" title=\"The 72 Hour Rule: What It Is And Why We Follow It\" data-level=\"2\">The 72 Hour Rule for Gun Sales<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-the-72-hour-rule-bottom-line\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"the-72-hour-rule-what-it-is-and-why-we-follow-it\" title=\"The 72 Hour Rule: What It Is And Why We Follow It\" data-level=\"2\">The 72 Hour Rule Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-the-72-hour-rule\">What Is the 72 Hour Rule?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s simple, really. The 72 Hour Rule means letting time pass before commenting on a major event. Over those three days, it\u2019s typically wise to keep opinions to yourself. You\u2019ve probably noticed how the media flip-flops. It goes so far as to release the wrong person\u2019s name as the perpetrator, right down to pictures and their social media accounts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then there\u2019s the weapon that was used, the motives, and how many were injured or murdered. The information and high-tech age have admittedly brought some great gifts with them. It is still so easy to read false and incomplete information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-more-than-one-72-hour-rule\">More Than One 72-Hour Rule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, there are several versions of the 72 Hour Rule that apply to different fields and practices. In the gun world, it applies to keeping mouths shut until further information comes out. It also involves the aftermath of a self-defense shooting. In a self-defense case, the 72 Hour Rule refers to the fact that law enforcement has that much time to detain you without charging you (48 hours in some jurisdictions).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those 72 hours generally do not include weekends or holidays, either. Keep in mind the specific hours and days can change depending on your location, so do your due diligence and check the laws and regulations where you live (or where you\u2019re traveling).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ak-car-field-guns-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"AK-47 leaning against car\" class=\"wp-image-207512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ak-car-field-guns-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ak-car-field-guns-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ak-car-field-guns-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ak-car-field-guns-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ak-car-field-guns.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Remember the case where the media reported the perpetrator used an AK-47 but it was actually an SKS? <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-wait-72-hours\">Why wait 72 hours?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The answer to why you should wait to start talking at length about an incident is easy. You don\u2019t know anything. First, if you\u2019re on the outside looking in, you\u2019re relying on the media to feed you details they also got secondhand (or worse). All they\u2019re doing is looking to be the first to break the next big detail and accuracy isn\u2019t always considered. However, over time, some degree of truth emerges. Second, you don\u2019t want to be part of the bad information machine. That ends up meaning it\u2019s best to wait and see before speaking about an incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the self-defense side, there are quite a few things to consider. First and foremost is that you should be doing what your attorney tells you, and that includes not running around telling everyone what happened. That isn\u2019t what we\u2019re discussing here, though, so we\u2019ll gloss over that. The 72 hours involved in the aftermath of a self-defense shooting have to do with a few things. It includes giving law enforcement time to investigate. It takes time for your brain to process events. And the legal system is incredibly sluggish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-application-in-other-fields\">Application In Other Fields<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This next version of the 72 Hour Rule isn\u2019t about whether you should be giving statements on social media\u2014you shouldn\u2019t, period\u2014but more about law enforcement\u2019s side of things. Also, don\u2019t be confused by the fact that law enforcement officers are typically allowed 24-72 hours to make a statement after an officer-involved shooting. That doesn\u2019t mean you have 72 hours after a self-defense shooting (again, get an attorney). It\u2019s not the same thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The self-defense 72 Hour Rule isn\u2019t about what you say, it\u2019s about what law enforcement does. This rule regarding armed active killers is about what you yourself say and do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/nra-gun-rights-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"gun rights and the Second Amendment\" class=\"wp-image-207518\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/nra-gun-rights-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/nra-gun-rights-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/nra-gun-rights-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/nra-gun-rights-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/nra-gun-rights.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">You&#8217;re not hurting gun rights by hitting pause on making statements after an incident. You&#8217;re protecting it, and yourself. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-help-or-hinder-gun-rights\">Help Or Hinder Gun Rights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some people might think that waiting 72 hours to say something about an armed killing might somehow harm the Second Amendment and gun rights in general. They might believe getting ahead of things\u2014even if their audience is small\u2014is a good idea. That isn\u2019t really how it works, though. You do far more damage by spreading misinformation, and after you\u2019ve been wrong once, you\u2019re going to have a much harder time getting anyone to listen to you, let alone believe you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We all want to champion gun rights and uphold the Second Amendment as the founding fathers intended. That doesn\u2019t mean we should speak without thinking after something like a school shooting or other cases of violence where firearms were used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/guns-72-hours-atf-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"gun sales and the form 4473\" class=\"wp-image-207519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/guns-72-hours-atf-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/guns-72-hours-atf-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/guns-72-hours-atf-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/guns-72-hours-atf-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/guns-72-hours-atf.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The background check done when you buy a gun can take 72 hours (even longer in some states). <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-72-hour-rule-for-gun-sales\">The 72 Hour Rule for Gun Sales<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It isn\u2019t called the 72 Hour Rule, but some states indeed have a mandatory 72-hour wait for firearms sales. In those states there\u2019s a required 72 hour time lapse between the time the person fills out the ATF Form 4473 and when they can take possession of the firearm, assuming they passed the background check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you fill out the 4473 Form it goes to the FBI\u2019s NICS. The NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) runs the background check in most states. Some states have a background check system known as an alternate permit system that\u2019s run by the state rather than the FBI. NICS or the alternate system has 72 hours to approve or deny the application to purchase a firearm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/officer-shoots-armed-carjacking-suspect-after-walmart-chase\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"the-72-hour-rule-what-it-is-and-why-we-follow-it\" title=\"The 72 Hour Rule: What It Is And Why We Follow It\">Officer Shoots Armed Carjacking Suspect After Walmart Chase<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some delays are the result of incomplete forms while others are cases of mistaken identity (it happens). Still others are just high volume slowing the system down. Of course, if you live in a gun-restrictive state, there might be a state law giving the system ten days to make up their mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-72-hour-rule-bottom-line\">The 72 Hour Rule Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The 72 Hour Rule really comes down to allowing time for things to happen. Making a knee-jerk statement on social media is tempting, but it tends not to be wise. Being informed and thoughtful is part of being a responsible gun owner. The last thing any of us want to do is contribute to bad information or cause unnecessary fear. And if you feel you must say something, remember: the internet is forever and everything is discoverable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about the 72 Hour Rule from Active Self Protection <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/3ORo87nQrTM?si=Sd4d1b7ugr5h7mPx\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"the-72-hour-rule-what-it-is-and-why-we-follow-it\" title=\"The 72 Hour Rule: What It Is And Why We Follow It\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><strong><em>*** <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"the-72-hour-rule-what-it-is-and-why-we-follow-it\" title=\"The 72 Hour Rule: What It Is And Why We Follow It\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica!<\/a> ***<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 72 Hour Rule is a thing many in the firearms world adhere to and for good reason. Here\u2019s why.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":89,"featured_media":207512,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_specdata_upc":"","_specdata_placement":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[234],"tags":[102,4194],"featured":[],"hunt365":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-207500","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-columns","8":"tag-feature-articles","9":"tag-social-media"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>72 Hour Rule: What It Is And Why We Follow It<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"72 Hour Rule really comes down to allowing time for things to happen. 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