Poll: Competing gun initiatives in Washington could pass
Apr 15, 2014, 1:24 PM | Updated: Apr 16, 2014, 9:03 am
A new poll on two competing gun initiatives on the November ballot shows that both could pass, indicating voter confusion over what the conflicting background check measures do. (AP)
(AP)
A new poll on two competing gun initiatives on the November ballot shows that both could pass, indicating voter confusion over what the conflicting background check measures do.
The results released Tuesday by pollster Stuart Elway found that 72 percent were inclined to vote for Initiative 594, which would require universal background checks on all firearm sales in Washington.
The poll also found that 55 percent were inclined to vote for Initiative 591, which would prevent Washington state from adopting background-check laws stricter than the national standard, which requires the checks for sales by licensed dealers but not for purchases from private sellers.
The Elway survey of 504 registered voters was conducted April 9-13. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.
The Washington State Attorney General’s Office has said it’s looking into the possibility of both initiatives passing.
“We’re headed into uncharted waters here. I think if this pattern were to continue, a lot of lawyers would be scrambling around trying to figure out what they’re going to do,” said Elway.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
