Backers Of Washington Gun Control Measure Submit Petitions For Ballot Initiative
Backers of a proposed gun-control initiative in Washington plan to deliver their final batch of petitions July 6th to the Secretary of State. Among other things, Initiative 1639 aims to raise the age limit to 21 to buy a semiautomatic rifle.
The first nine boxes of petitions rolled in July 5th on a red dolly. The I-1639 campaign said in three weeks it collected 350,000 voter signatures—more than enough to qualify for the November ballot.
Renee Hopkins of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility said the initiative will make schools and communities safer.
It’s an issue that hits close to home—her brother was killed in a 1996 school shooting in Moses Lake.
“That’s not the only reason that I do this work, but absolutely it’s a personal issue,” Hopkins said.
In addition to raising the age limit, I-1639 would also require enhanced background checks for the purchase of semiautomatic rifles, among other provisions. Opponents have called the measure expansive and unnecessary.
Copyright 2018 Northwest News Network
Related Stories:
Gov. Inslee leans into housing and homelessness in 2023 State of the State address
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee emphasized housing construction and homelessness response during his 2023 State of the State address on Tuesday. The issue is a bipartisan priority for the state Legislature, but approaches differ among the lawmakers who convened in Olympia this week.
Hobbs, Anderson Lead In WA Secretary Of State’s Race
Democratic incumbent Steve Hobbs and independent challenger Julie Anderson were leading Washington’s top two primary for Secretary of State after the initial ballot count Tuesday night. Republican Bob Hagglund, who has never held public office, was in a close third place.
Washington Primary Will Winnow Large Field For Secretary Of State
For nearly six decades, Republicans held Washington’s top election post — Secretary of State. That streak ended last November when Kim Wyman resigned to take an election security post with the Biden administration, and Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Democratic state Sen. Steve Hobbs to the post.