A new gun-control law took effect in Washington on Dec. 4, 2014 that has energized activists pledging to push for more changes, as the state becomes the latest battleground over gun regulation.
Initiative 594, which passed with 59% of the vote in November, requires background checks for all gun sales and transfers—an expansion that includes private transactions but exempts gifts from immediate family members, antique firearms and certain temporary trades.
Advocates of tougher gun controls see the election results as a mandate to push for further stringency.
“We feel like we’re headed into the legislative session with the wind at our backs,” said Zach Silk, campaign manager for the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility, which sponsored Initiative 594.
Mr. Silk said his group plans to push for legislative changes to widen the group of people prohibited from owning guns and to allow gun-violence protection orders that could allow a firearm to be taken from someone with threatening behavior or mental-health issues.
How’d that new law work in preventing gun shootings for the New Year?
- 2 injured in shooting at New Year’s party in West Seattle
- Fatal New Year’s shooting in Concrete
- 2 people killed in shooting at New Year’s party in Renton
- Shooting leaves man dead in Rainier Valley
DCG