MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle venture capitalist files gun control bill in legislature

Jun 10, 2013, 5:13 AM | Updated: 10:06 am

Seattle venture capitalist Nick Hanauer wants to change the background check law in Washington, ext...

Seattle venture capitalist Nick Hanauer wants to change the background check law in Washington, extending checks to all gun sales in the state. He's filing a bill with the legislature Monday. (AP Photo/File)

(AP Photo/File)

The legislature has been put on notice by Seattle venture capitalist Nick Hanauer: Act on his gun control bill or he will send it to the voters.

Hanauer wants to change the background check law in Washington, extending checks to all gun sales in the state.

He’s filing a bill with the legislature Monday. “People will no doubt object to holding gun owners to a very high standard, but those will be irresponsible gun owners and the people that make money selling guns to irresponsible gun owners,” Hanauer told KING 5.

So why is Hanauer giving this bill to the legislature instead of going straight to voters?

“We want to give the legislature a chance to embarrass itself once again because we’re in the game for the long term, and we want to find out who are our friends and who are our enemies,” he said.

If the legislature fails to act, Hanauer will gather signatures and put this gun control measure before voters in 2014.

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Seattle venture capitalist files gun control bill in legislature