Lawsuit filed in federal court against state's new gun background check law

OLYMPIA (AP) — Opponents of a new, expanded gun background check measure in Washington are asking a federal judge to block parts of the law that involve transfers of guns.

A lawsuit was filed in district court in Tacoma Tuesday afternoon and seeks a permanent injunction against enforcement of parts of Initiative 594, which was approved by voters in November, that deal with non-commercial transfers to private citizens.

Opponents say they are not trying to stop background checks, but say that the language that requires checks for many gifts and loans goes too far and infringes on people's constitutional rights.

The measure has exceptions for emergency gun transfers concerning personal safety, gifts between family members, antiques and loans for hunting.