New Anti-Gun Initiative Could Be on WA Ballot This Fall

Initiative 1491 is the latest effort by the Alliance for Gun Responsibility to gradually chip away at gun rights in Washington state. Currently, signatures are being gathered to try to get it on the November ballot.

According to the Alliance, which was started by a Seattle area venture capitalist, this bill would "temporarily prevent individuals who are at high risk of harming themselves or others from accessing firearms by allowing family, household members or police to obtain a court order."

Rather vague and ambiguous, as critics point out. Who is to determine if this person is unsafe? The plan has been met with much criticism because it really doesn't do anything to prevent gun violence.

Opponents, such as the Bellevue-based Second Amendment Foundation, argue current gun laws are not being enforced, and this won't make any difference.

They also point out these laws are useless when it comes to keeping criminals, terrorists or other genuinely harmful individuals from obtaining firearms. It's the behavior, not the gun.

But it's expected to land on the November ballot, especially because of support in and around Seattle.