Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback announced a proposal to eliminate Florida’s three‑day waiting period for most gun purchases, naming the legislation the "B.Y.R.O.N. Act" after Congressman Byron Donalds.

The three‑day waiting period currently applies to most firearm purchases except for individuals with valid concealed‑weapon licenses, law‑enforcement and correctional officers, military service members, firearm traders, and hunters who meet safety certification requirements. In a video posted to YouTube, Fishback said that a 90‑pound woman, a former teacher and School Board member, was confronted by Donalds, a 290‑pound, 6‑foot‑5 Black man, in a grocery store, and argued that immediate gun access could have allowed her to protect herself.

Fishback’s remarks have repeatedly referenced Donalds’ race while criticizing the congressman’s lead in the Republican primary. Attorney General James Uthmeier, who has endorsed Donalds, called a previous "slave" remark by Fishback "gross." Mason sued Donalds in 2024, alleging that he threatened and intimidated her during the grocery store encounter captured on video; the campaign described the lawsuit as "baseless and politically motivated." Fishback has also posted a video of himself firing an AR‑15‑style rifle and tagged Donalds with the caption "Pull up. Let’s see if you’re actually black," and a 41‑second ad titled "Byron Donalds is Black" in which he asserted that "race doesn’t matter." He has appeared on a podcast with individuals who have expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler, and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins has sued Fishback and the Department of State, claiming that Fishback does not meet Florida’s seven‑year residency requirement for gubernatorial candidates. In 2020, Fishback voted in the presidential election in Washington, D.C., after previously denying it; he later admitted to providing his Florida ID and voting only in the presidential race. D.C. residency rules require at least 30 days of residency and a declaration that the voter does not maintain voting residence elsewhere; knowingly making a false declaration can result in a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both. Judge David Frank of the 2nd Judicial Circuit is set to rule on the residency case by 5 p.m. Monday.

The proposal awaits further legislative consideration and legal review, and its ultimate impact on Florida’s gun policy remains unresolved.