SEATTLE — Microsoft co-founder and Seattle Seahawks owner Paul Allen has donated $1 million to a campaign seeking to raise the age to purchase semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21 in Washington state.
Over 1,000 students, civic leader, and others joined Allen in raising over $3 million to support initiative 1639, safe schools, safe communities and other gun violence prevention efforts in Washington state.
Allen tweeted his support for Initiative 1639 Monday:
My statement on a gun safety initiative in my home state of Washington:
— Paul Allen (@PaulGAllen) May 21, 2018
Initiative 1639 is a reasonable and necessary measure that will improve the safety of our schools and our communities, which is why I have contributed a million dollars to the campaign. 1/2
I hope people throughout the state will support the campaign, so that we can qualify and pass this important initiative into law. 2/2
— Paul Allen (@PaulGAllen) May 21, 2018
For more information, go here. https://t.co/X9Q8gaVbFy
— Paul Allen (@PaulGAllen) May 21, 2018
According to the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, "The proposed initiative will address many of the root causes of recent tragedies by raising the age to purchase semi-automatic rifles to 21; creating an enhanced background check system similar to what is required for handguns; requiring completion of a firearm safety training course; and creating standards for secure storage to prevent guns from falling into dangerous hands."
The group's initiative effort comes after lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled Statehouse declined to bump the minimum age to buy semi-automatic weapons after the February mass shooting at a Florida high school.
The alliance needs roughly 260,000 petition signatures before the initiative can qualify for the 2018 ballot.
For more information on Initiative 1639, click here.
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Cox Media Group