Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By David Seal] –
After voters in Memphis, Tennessee expressed approval of gun control measures by referendum on November 5, that would require a permit to own a handgun, limit so-called assault weapons within city limits, and establish a red flag law, second amendment advocates and two Tennessee senators have joined the fight to uphold the second amendment by opposing the referendum.
Multiple firearms advocacy groups have filed a lawsuit asking the court for injunctive relief to block the Memphis gun control initiative.
As reported earlier by the Tennessee Conservative News, “the [referendum] questions were only proposals that served to gather public opinion rather than establish law.”
Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) was the first legislator to come out swinging against the city’s referendum, calling it unlawful and misleading. Critics say the referendum was designed to pressure state legislators into enacting statewide gun control measures. Taylor indicated in a letter to the Tennessee Firearms Association (TFA) that the Memphis City Council tried to “defraud Memphians into thinking the city had the authority to implement gun control.”
They also expected him and other legislators to participate in a gun control “retreat.”
“The Memphis City Council wants state lawmakers from West Tennessee to participate in a “retreat” to discuss a path forward on the gun control referendum. Should the city host a “retreat”, I will not attend because there is nothing to discuss. There is no way in hell I’m going to participate in a discussion to disarm law abiding citizens in America’s most dangerous city when no one locally is holding criminals accountable. My colleagues and I are more interested in working with serious people to Make Memphis Matter by holding criminals accountable and increasing economic opportunities. This “retreat” does neither.” – said Senator Brent Taylor
Senator Taylor’s assertion that Memphis officials are soft on crime is reflected in House Speaker Cameron Sexton’s characterization of Shelby County General Sessions Judge Bill Anderson as “softer than Jello” on criminals. After Anderson released a murder suspect without bond, Sexton announced a review of his cases.
Taylor’s letter to TFA is pictured below.
For background on the referendum and second amendment advocacy group lawsuit, a link is provided here to multiple news reports.
The second legislator to announce opposition to the Memphis gun control referendum was Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma). Bowling complemented TFA and others for their lawsuit against Memphis and pledged that she would stand alongside the organizations as they defended freedom, liberty, and the Constitution.
Bowling’s letter to TFA is pictured below.
TFA issued a statement for this news article calling on the Tennessee General Assembly and/or the State Attorney General to intervene in the lawsuit and seek injunctive relief against Memphis.
“The City of Memphis has ignored the Second Amendment and several aspects of state law when it pursued and enacted three ordinance provisions that intentionally infringed the constitutionally protected rights of Tennesseans and anyone who visits Memphis. Tennessee Firearms Association and Gun Owners of America filed a lawsuit seeking to block Memphis’ ordinance from being enforced effective January 1, 2025, against their members. Tennessee Firearms Association is hopeful that the Tennessee Legislature and/or the Tennessee Attorney General will intervene in this lawsuit to seek similar injunctive relief against Memphis for all Tennesseans and state visitors.” – said John Harris, Executive Director, Tennessee Firearms Association
On November 19, Harris also asked on a social media platform why Governor Bill Lee or the Tennessee Attorney General did not file a suit against Memphis to stop the unlawful firearms ordinance.
It was Governor Lee that called a special legislative session of the Tennessee General Assembly on August 21, 2023, to address gun control measures that included a proposed red flag law that was characterized as a “temporary mental health order of protection”, a failed proposal that was vigorously opposed by multiple county governments and republican executive committees across the state.
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and current Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Lucifer’s Memphis dimmergraphic lacking the sense and discipline to safely own guns, wanting rest of TN disarmed too.