Gun Initiative Gets Big Boost From Gates, Allen and Ballmer

Bill Gates and Paul Allen, co-founders of Microsoft along with former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Seattle venture capitalist Nick Hanauer have joined forces and fortunes to donate heavily to the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility, a coalition that wants to require background checks for Washington residents who buy firearms at gun shows and online. Initiative 594, which will be on the November ballot, would close what the alliance calls a “loophole” in Washington gun laws.

Paul Allen has donated $500,000 to the Alliance while Steve Ballmer has pitched in $600,000. Nick Hanauer has shown his support by throwing in $400,000. Bill Gates has given a more modest donation of $50,000. Gates, along with his wife Melinda, have become the biggest philanthropists in history with close to $30 billion going to worthwhile causes around the globe as they continue to concentrate on eradication of diseases such as Malaria and Aids as well as promoting education.

Steve Ballmer, Bill Gates, Paul Allen

Initiative 594 makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. Law enforcement agencies and public safety officials agree that the existing “loophole” promotes illegal gun trafficking and enables those with criminal intent to purchase firearms. This initiative will simply ensure that a background check is conducted for every gun purchase.

Reasonable Exceptions – background checks are not required for:

• Gifts between immediate family members
• Antiques and relics
• Temporary transfers for self-defense
• Loans for lawful hunting or sporting activities

A recent poll showed Initiative 594 is supported by 72% of voters in Washington State. I, for one, am happy to see these hi-tech billionaires putting some of their vast fortunes towards issues that will definitely be good for both their communities and their country as a whole. It’s a long way until November so there’s no telling what the final outcome of this vote may be.

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