
Washington Gun Dealers Report 1,200 Denied Purchases In First Months Of New Law
Listen
Early numbers on a new Washington state law designed to crack down on felons, domestic abusers and others who try to buy a gun show that since July, more than 1,200 would-be gun buyers have failed background checks.
Of those, 49 people made multiple attempts to purchase a firearm. And 71 of them had a court order requiring them to stay away from their victims.
Alliance for Gun Responsibility CEO Renee Hopkins said the law is working because domestic violence victims are now getting notification if their abuser tries to buy a gun.
“The information that their abuser is trying to buy a firearm could literally save their lives,” Hopkins said. “It gives them the power to be able to plan for their safety and in most situations their children’s safety as well.”
An investigation by public radio and KING 5 News last year found that prohibited gun buyers are rarely, if ever, investigated and prosecuted in Washington. So far under the new law, 152 attempts to purchase have been referred to police resulting in criminal charges in at least two cases.
Related Stories:

Washington Lawmakers Consider Bill Limiting Vaccine Exemptions Amid Measles Outbreak
Amid a measles outbreak that has sickened more than 50 people in the Pacific Northwest, Washington lawmakers heard testimony Friday on a bill that would remove parents’ ability to claim a personal or philosophical exemption to opt their school-age children out of the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

Gun Safety, Homelessness, Fate Of Matt Shea: Big Issues Loom As Washington Legislature Convenes
When Washington lawmakers convene a short, election year session on Monday, Jan. 13 they’ll confront a range of issues from homelessness to gun control to whether to expel state Rep. Matt Shea.

Police Say It’s Hands Off For Some Mental Health Cases After Washington’s New Use Of Force Law
In Washington, the working partnership between police and crisis mental health workers is being put to the test. The reason is a new police use of force law.