MEMPHIS, Tennessee (WMC) – This week saw another showdown between the state of Tennessee and the city of Memphis over gun control.
On Monday, top Republican politicians announced that the city could lose tens of millions of dollars in crucial state funds if three gun control measures passed by the Memphis City Council earlier this year were placed on the ballot in November.
The lieutenant governor, speaker of the House of Representatives and secretary of state of Tennessee told officials in Bluff City on Monday, August 26, that state law takes precedence over all three proposals.
Memphis City Councilman Jeff Warren sponsored the referendum, which calls for:
- Reintroduction of firearms licenses and demand for safe storage
- Ban on future sales of assault rifles
- Creation of a “Red Flag” law that allows for the confiscation of weapons through protective orders in cases of extreme risk
“I think they thought we were going to introduce this,” Councilman Warren said. “I think they thought we were going to directly attack the state Republican Party when in reality we are asking for help with our crime problem.”
Cameron Sexton, speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, said that if the referendum is passed, the state of Memphis could lose up to $78 million in sales tax revenue.
“In light of the recent actions of the progressive, lenient District Attorney in Shelby County,” Sexton said, “and the ongoing efforts of the Memphis City Council to override state law through local action, we believe it is necessary to take action and protect the rights and freedoms of all Tennessee citizens. We hope they will change course immediately.”
Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally added, “The Tennessee Constitution clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of state and local governments. Shelby County must understand that, despite its hopes and desires to the contrary, it is bound by these explicit constitutional guardrails.”
Democratic House Minority Leader Karen Camper of Memphis fired off a letter to the lieutenant governor and speaker:
“The threat to punish an entire county for exercising its democratic right is not only unprecedented,” she said, “but sets a dangerous precedent. The proposal to withhold these vital funds based on a local decision designed to ensure public safety is shortsighted and counterproductive.”
State Rep. Justin Pearson called the Republicans’ actions “reckless” and “unconstitutional.”
“Our city and county have a say in how we are governed,” he said in a statement. “Our people deserve a say. Unlike the authoritarian measures that have persisted in our legislature for far too long, our city, county and state are governed by the people. This is a constitutional democratic republic – not a dictatorship or oligarchy.”
Councilman Warren hopes that if Memphis voters show Republican leaders what they think about gun control, state lawmakers will allow exceptions to carry weapons without a permit in a city paralyzed by crime.
“If they don't do what the NRA wants, they can be easily taken down,” Warren said. “So unless we can give them cover by voting as citizens, they'll never really be able to change that.”
In an email to the Shelby County Election Commission on Monday, Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett stated, “Any proposed referendum is void on its face and cannot be placed on the ballot.”
Memphis Mayor Paul Young called for diplomacy between local and state politicians.
“We understand that the referendum is contrary to state law,” Mayor Young told Action News 5. “That's why we will continue to have the necessary conversations, work with our city council and our state legislature, and strive to find a solution that we all agree with.”
Action News 5 reached out to Shelby County Elections Coordinator Linda Phillips to find out what impact this will have on the ballot and election preparations.
“We acknowledge the concerns raised by various stakeholders,” Phillips said. “Our role as the Electoral Commission is to remain neutral and ensure that any referendum or electoral process is conducted fairly, transparently and in strict compliance with the law.”
The Election Commission will meet on Tuesday, August 27, at 11 a.m. to further discuss the situation.
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