Rival gun measures on ballot in Washington state

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Two competing measures on the Washington state ballot this fall ask voters to take a stance on expanded background checks for gun sales. One is seeking universal checks for all sales and transfers, including private transactions. The other would prevent any such expansion.<br /> <br /> Supporters of the initiative to expand background checks have received large donations from wealthy figures, including Microsoft co-founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen, and have spent millions, far outpacing the anti-expansion effort.<br /> <br /> What happens if both pass on Nov. 4 is anyone's guess, though the Washington secretary of state's office has said that either the Legislature or the courts would have to sort it out.<br /> <br /> "We've never passed rival measures dealing with the same subject," said David Ammons, spokesman for Secretary of State Kim Wyman. Ammons noted that there is no state statute or rule on what to do in such a case. "Someone would most likely bring a court challenge."<br /> <br /> No other state has a gun-related measure on their ballot this year, but some say proponents of universal background checks in other states could gain momentum if expansion wins in Washington state.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/10/280595