Washington group plans initiative if federal gun legislation fails

By MIKE BAKER Associated Press OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Supporters of gun control in Washington state are preparing to launch an initiative campaign to expand background checks if a similar proposal fails to pass Congress. Christian Sinderman with the group Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility said Monday that organizers haven’t decided whether the initiative would take place this year or next year. The group is engaged in discussions and plans to make a decision by the end of this month. Gun buyers must undergo background checks when they purchase a weapon from a federally licensed firearms dealer. A bipartisan effort in the U.S. Senate would expand that to cover transactions at gun shows and the Internet. Washington state lawmakers considered a similar plan to expand background checks earlier this year, but the measure failed to get enough votes to pass the state House.