Giffords Endorses Washington State Ballot Measure to Strengthen State’s Gun Violence Prevention Laws

October 18, 2018

A ‘Yes’ Vote on Initiative 1639 Will Dramatically Improve State’s Gun Violence Prevention Laws To Protect Washington Schools and Communities

October 18, 2018 — Giffords, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly, today endorsed the passage of Washington State Initiative to the People 1639, a ballot measure designed to strengthen the state’s gun laws.

The endorsement comes while Gabby and Mark are in Seattle for a Get-Out-The-Vote rally as part of the Giffords Vote Save Lives tour. At the event, Capt. Kelly stressed the importance of voting for Initiative 1639 after congressional failure to adequately address our gun violence epidemic.

Statement from former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, co-founder of Giffords:

“Our nation recently experienced three of the deadliest shootings in American history, and our gun death rate has skyrocketed in recent decades. In the face of congressional inaction, Washington voters have consistently voted to strengthen their gun laws. We’re excited to see the residents of Washington step up to tell elected officials that enough is enough. Their courage to take on the gun lobby and demand stronger gun laws is an effort we hope residents in other states will follow. We’re proud to back Initiative 1639 because fundamentally reforming the gun laws of the Evergreen State means a safer future for all Washingtonians.”

Initiative 1639 is a 2018 Washington State Initiative to the People. It is a comprehensive gun violence prevention measure that will:

Raise the minimum purchase age to 21 for all semi-automatic assault rifles to match the rules for handguns.
Create an enhanced background check for semi-automatic assault rifles.
Incentivize secure storage practices through Dangerous Access Prevention.
Ensure gun buyers are aware of risks associated with firearms.

Learn more at http://www.yeson1639.org and follow the campaign at @YesOn1639.

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