Initiative 591 is a Dangerous Step Backward for the Safety of Washington Families

I-591 would prohibit citizens—and our state—from taking action to close background check loopholes

OLYMPIA- With proponents of I-591 turning in signatures today, the 2014 legislative and likely ballot landscape on gun safety is coming into sharp focus.  I-591 seeks to prevent the people of Washington from closing loopholes on gun sales that allow criminals and others to purchase firearms without a background check. As written, it will also roll back existing Washington standards, such as 5-day waiting periods and law enforcement checks not found in federal law.  

 I-594, which has already submitted the minimum 250,000 signatures and will complete volunteer driven efforts in December, would expand existing protections by closing loopholes on gun shows, online, and private sales.

“It’s a clear contrast: I-594 will protect lives and safety, while I-591 rolls back existing, and insufficient, background check requirements,” said Cheryl Stumbo, sponsor of I-594 and a survivor of gun violence. “We know the voters of Washington want more safety, not less.  We know they want to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, not make it easier.  Our job will be to make sure they know the difference next November.”

While both initiatives were written as initiatives to the legislature, meaning legislators have the option of adopting the measure and not passing along to voters to consider, it is expected that both will reach the ballot in 2014. 

One particularly controversial part of I-591 is the requirement that Washington abide by a “uniform national standard” for background checks, yet the Brady Act outlining most federal firearm restrictions specifically gives authority to the states to implement their own safety measures, raising questions of just how far 591 would roll back current background check requirements.

“The gun lobbyists and dealers who are funding and promoting 591 wrote a simple sounding, but confusing and poorly written measure that may have profound consequences,” said Stumbo. “By pre-empting the rights of state and people to pass their own laws, it not only rolls back current protections, but ties our hands—placing Washington at the mercy of the federal government and courts.”

I-594 will conclude signature gathering efforts in the coming weeks.  Recent polling shows support for closing background check loopholes consistently holding at over 70%.