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Supporters of I-1639 gathered more than 375,000 signatures. The initiative needed 250,000 to get on the November 2018 ballot. Photo courtesy of Yes on I-1639
Big news late on a Friday afternoon: Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman certified Initiative 1639, clearing the way for the gun safety legislation to appear on the November ballot in Washington state.
The initiative collected more than 375,000 signatures in support earlier this summer, and is "the most comprehensive gun safety initiative in Washington state to date," according to Renée Hopkins, CEO of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, who have championed I-1639.
Shortly after the announcement from Wyman's office this afternoon, The National Rifle Association and Alan Gottleib of the Second Amendment Foundation filed two seperate lawsuits to oppose I-1639.
As of publishing, Wyman's office notes that some concerns remain around the petition signature sheets used to collect signatures for I-1639 but that the initiative complied with all legal requirements under her authority.
If passed in November, I-1639 would raise the minimum age to purchase a semi-automatic rifle to 21, create an enhanced background check system, require completion of a firearm safety training course and create standards for the secure storage of guns.
"This is the third time in four years that a gun responsibility measure has been sent to the ballot by voters," said Hopkins of the Alliance. "The people of this state are clearly committed to preventing gun violence in our communities."
To learn more about how to support I-1639, visit the campaign website and subscribe to ParentMap's monthly eNewsletter dedicated to gun safety.
