Expanded Background Checks Passes, Competing Measure in Limbo

Voters have passed a measure to expand background checks on gun sales and transfers in Washington state.

Initiative 594 was one of two rival gun measures on Tuesday's ballot. It requires background checks on all sales and transfers, including private transactions and many loans and gifts. It had especially strong support in King County.

The rival measure, Initiative 591, would prevent the state from expanding checks beyond the national standard. It was trailing statewide.

Like federal law, Washington law currently requires checks for sales or transfers by licensed dealers but not for purchases from private sellers, like those who sell at gun shows or to friends.