Dueling gun initiatives on path to divisive campaigns

Campaigns for dueling gun initiatives on this year’s ballot could bring national attention to Washington state, and contribute to an ongoing debate about gun laws across the U.S.
Initiative 594 would enact statewide criminal background checks for all firearm transactions. That’s in direct conflict with Initiative 591, which would prohibit passage of any law expanding background checks unless a national standard is created. I-591 also prohibits confiscations of guns without due process.