Washington Voters Reject Initiative 591

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A measure seeking to prevent Washington state from expanding gun sale background checks beyond a national uniform standard has been rejected by voters.

Initiative 591 continued to trail in the latest returns Wednesday. It was one of two rival gun measures on Tuesday’s ballot. It would have also prohibited the confiscation of firearms without due process.

On Tuesday, an initiative that creates a universal background check requirement for most sales and transfers passed easily. Initiative 594 requires background checks on all sales and transfers, including private transactions and many loans and gifts. It had especially strong support in King County.

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

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