The Bainbridge Island City Council approved a resolution by a 6-1 vote Tuesday to support Initiative 594, the November ballot measure that would close loopholes in state criminal background checks when purchasing a firearm.

The council’s thumbs up on gun regulation came with just one voice of opposition.

“I’m a strong supporter for background checks for sales on guns at gun shows,” Councilman Dave Ward said.

“If this initiative stopped there, I would certainly support it. It does not,” he said.

Under current state and federal law, all federally licensed firearm dealers must perform a background check on all firearm purchasers.

This does not include, however, private transactions at gun shows, over the internet and in parking lots.

I-594 seeks to expand the background check system to all firearm purchases, including private sales.

Support for bringing the resolution before the Bainbridge council hardened in May, when the council unanimously endorsed the idea.

The proposed resolution states: “The City Council of the City of Bainbridge Island supports policies that keep guns out of dangerous hands while respecting the rights of responsible gun owners and strongly believes the State of Washington should take action to close the loophole in our existing background check system and keep guns out of the hands of felons, domestic abusers and the dangerously mentally ill.”

With the state’s current background check system, more than 2 million sales have been blocked from prohibited buyers since 1998 — more than 40,000 of which were located in Washington.

I-594 will use the same background check system, and make no changes to existing state hunting or shooting laws.

Ward said Tuesday, however, that since I-594 will extend background checks to registration, transfers and loans, he can’t support the bill.

Ward quoted the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs that it was unlikely the initiative would do much to keep guns out of criminal hands.

“I also found out that only 1 percent of applicants are eliminated for mental reasons,” Ward said of Washington’s background checking system.

“It appears that the database in Washington, even though we’re one of the better states, has a great number of problems that really need attention.”

Councilman Steve Bonkowski said he agreed — to a point.

“I share some of Dave’s concern, but on the other hand I think some of the advantage of having the background checks is substantial in terms of doing a better job of controlling weapons for Washingtonians,” Bonkowski said.

The rest of the council agreed expanding background checks was a positive change to state law.

“The statistics that we’ve been provided by reputable sources, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, indicate clearly that adopting this initiative in Washington will make a difference and will not be a burden,” Councilman Val Tollefson said.

The Bainbridge city council approved the resolution in support of I-594 by a 6-1 vote, with Ward as the sole “no” vote.