After reading a recent letter to the editor from Cy Baumgartner regarding Initiative 594, I wanted to take the opportunity to express my commitment to common-sense gun safety laws in Washington. During the 2013 legislative session I co-sponsored a similar piece of legislation that would have added universal background checks for firearm sales and transfers.

While slightly different in implementation, Initiative 594 also would require universal background checks and will be presented to the Legislature for action during the upcoming session that began Jan. 13.

Unfortunately, during the 2013 session members of the state House of Representatives failed to hold a vote on a background check bill, keeping it from possibly moving forward toward becoming law.

This past August I also enjoyed the opportunity to gather with members of our community and the group Moms Demand Action at Mercerdale Park on Mercer Island to support universal background check legislation for firearms.

Thank you Cy for your letter. As always it is a great honor to serve our community in the Washington state Senate.

Sen. Steve Litzow, R-Mercer Island