Lawsuit That Challenges Gun Law Thrown Out

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit challenging parts of Washington state's new law expanding background checks on gun transfers.

U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle in Tacoma ruled Thursday that opponents of the law didn't have standing to challenge the parts of Initiative 594 that required background checks for noncommercial gun transfers. The judge said they had not suffered any injury or shown that they are at risk of being prosecuted.

I-594 passed with 59 percent of the vote last November. It created universal background checks for all sales, including those made online or at gun shows, as well as for transfers including many loans and gifts. The measure has exceptions for emergency gun transfers concerning personal safety, gifts between family members, antiques and loans for hunting.