Initiative 1491 will save lives

Too often, we hear of gun tragedies where the shooter demonstrated warning signs noticed by family members or friends. As a volunteer with the Washington state chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, I know we can do more to help Washingtonians take action before it is too late. That is why I am voting for Initiative 1491, Washington state’s Extreme Risk Protection Order measure, on the ballot this November.

In the mass shootings in Tucson, Aurora, the Navy Yard, and Isla Vista, family members or law enforcement saw warning signs and, in some cases, even took steps to intervene. By voting for I-1491, Washingtonians will give our law enforcement and families a tool to potentially prevent shooting tragedies. This kind of common-sense legislation would allow family members and law enforcement to ask a judge to temporarily suspend a person’s access to firearms if they have evidence that the person poses a significant danger to themselves or others.

Washingtonians have spoken out before in favor of common-sense gun laws: In 2014, we passed, a background check ballot measure with 60 percent of the vote.

I hope you will join me again in November and vote yes for Initiative 1491 to help save lives.

This story was originally published November 3, 2016 at 8:40 AM with the headline "Initiative 1491 will save lives."