Gun Control Advocates Score Two Big Wins In Washington State

Cheryl Stumbo, center, raises her arms as she finishes speaking at an election night party for Initiative 594, a measure seeking universal background checks on gun sales and transfers, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, in Seatt... Cheryl Stumbo, center, raises her arms as she finishes speaking at an election night party for Initiative 594, a measure seeking universal background checks on gun sales and transfers, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, in Seattle. Stumbo, the citizen sponsor of the initiative, is a survivor in the shooting at the Jewish Federation in Seattle in 2006. The initiative is one of two competing gun initiatives in Washington state. The other measure, Initiative 591, would prevent any such expansion of background checks. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) MORE LESS

Voters in Washington state passed one initiative and rejected another on Tuesday, delivering two big victories to supporters of tougher gun laws.

Roughly 60 percent of voters backed Initiative Measure 594, which will close the so-called “gun show loophole” with an expansion of criminal background checks.

A rival measure that was backed by pro-gun groups was defeated by a wide margin. Only 45 percent of voters gave their support to Initiative Measure 591, which would have barred the state from requiring background checks beyond the national standard. A little more than 55 percent voted against I-591.

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  1. More importantly, Washington raised their minimum wage last night.

    In fact, EVERY state that had it on the ballot, RAISED the minimum wage last night. Even Alaska, and North Dakota.

  2. Avatar for ajm ajm says:

    When will the American electorate realize that the Democrats support the policies they want and that the Republicans don’t?

  3. …which still means 5% voted in favor of both. I guess we have some count of how many terminally stupid people there are in Washington.

  4. Maybe the WA voters were stoned? AK voters - definitely.

    /snark

  5. Well they realize that, but…you know…the president is black.

    And I heard from the tea party that he’s a treasonous kendonesian usurping anti-american niCLANG.

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