At its regular board meeting Thursday morning, the Mercer Island School Board unanimously voted to support Initiative 594 on the Nov. 2014 election ballot. I-594, the gun-safety initiative, closes the “gun show” loophole that requires only licensed dealers of firearms to conduct criminal and public safety background checks on people purchasing or transferring guns.

“Passing Initiative 594 would make sure that anyone buying a gun in Washington state has to pass the same background check, keeping more guns out of the hands of criminals and other dangerous people who should not have them,” said School Board President Janet Frohnmayer. “Passage of I-594 will make our schools and our community safer for our children.”

The School Board also voted to oppose Initiative 591, which would prevent Washington state from expanding background-check requirements on gun sales and transfers.