Video: Gun background check campaign launches first commercial

Backers of an initiative seeking universal background checks on gun sales have hit the airwaves with the first commercial in what’s expected to be an expensive and hotly contested campaign.

The commercial for Initiative 594 features former Bellingham Chief of Police Don Pierce touting the effectiveness of background checks.

“Background checks have a proven record of keeping guns out of dangerous hands in Washington State, and that’s why it’s time for all gun sales to go through the same background check,” he says.

The campaign has raised more than $7 million after a $1 million donation from a group funded by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg last week.

The donation is the latest big money gift from prominent figures, including Microsoft co-founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen.

I-594 would require background checks for all gun sales and transfers in Washington state, including at gun shows and for private sales. Under the measure, exemptions would exist, including gifts within a family and antiques.

A rival campaign, Initiative 591, would prevent the state from adopting background-check laws that go beyond the national standard, which requires the checks for sales by licensed dealers but not for purchases from private sellers. That campaign has raised about $1 million.

The Associated Press contributed to this report