NRA Challenges Fraudulent Ballot Petitions in Washington

Fairfax, Va. - The National Rifle Association today filed a lawsuit challenging the Washington Secretary of State’s decision to certify the significantly flawed and inaccurate petition sheets for Initiative 1639. The petition certification paves the way for it to be placed on the November ballot.

“Secretary of State Wyman has a legal and constitutional duty to reject all I-1639 signatures obtained using fraudulent copies of this initiative,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of NRA-ILA. “It’s telling that the gun control lobby and their billionaire backers will break the rules and resort to dirty tricks in order to get their latest gun control scheme on the ballot.”

Among other things, I-1639;

• Creates a gun registry for any transfers of commonly owned semi-automatic rifles;
• Introduces a 10-business day waiting period on the purchase of semi-automatic rifles;
• Imposes criminal liability on otherwise law-abiding gun owners who fail to store their firearms to state standards;
• Increases the age limit to possess or purchase semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21; Mandates training prior to purchase;
• And authorizes a $25 fee to be assessed to semiautomatic rifle purchasers.

“We call on the court to uphold state law and reject these fraudulent petitions,” concluded Cox.

The lawsuit was filed in Thurston County Superior Court.

Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.