I-594 a sham

By now you have probably seen the television ads and written documents supporting Initiative 594 – background checks for firearms. This initiative is financed in part by Bill Gates, the ex-mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, and other affluent individuals.

I-594 is a Trojan horse. It is a document full of propaganda designed to hoodwink the people of Washington. If it becomes a law, it will make thousands of honest, law-abiding citizens criminals. I-594 would do nothing to address the mental health crisis. It will not stop criminals from obtaining firearms to commit terrible crimes. As for buying firearms at gun shows, studies show that one-half of 1 percent of the criminals buy their firearms there.

I-594 is opposed by several law enforcement agencies and ranks. It will expand the government database of law-abiding gun owners, costing the state a great deal of money.

If you read the full text of Initiative 594, it will be hard to keep your lunch down. I-594 is not designed to keep guns from criminals or reduce crime; it is intended to create overwhelming obstacles to the private possession and use of firearms.

Vote no on Initiative 594 and yes on Initiative 591.

Raymond Garcea

Spokane