Initiative 594 passed with 60 percent of the vote in Washington yesterday. Initiative 594 calls for stricter regulations on gun sales, including background checks being required for all gun sales with the exception of those transferred between families and the purchase of antique weapons.

This vote closely follows a recent school shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School in Washington. I-594 was met with opposition. “. . Any Jewish people that I meet who are anti-gun, I think: are you serious? Do you not remember what happened?” Said NRA lobbyist Brian Judy at a meeting where he likened the Initiative to Nazi Germany.

Initiative 594 received heavy backing from Every Town for Gun Safety, an organization founded by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. While this new regulation does not guarantee tragedies such as Marysville or Newtown, Connecticut will never happen again, for many it is a step in the right direction. Other notable donors to I-594 include Bill and Melinda Gates, as well as former Microsoft executive Steve Ballmer and his wife Connie.

“As the first state to pass this by popular vote, Washington has sent a message of hope to other states that progress is possible,” said Seattle Mayor Ed Murray. “We can act to prevent gun violence.”