Gun control referendum could be postponed in Memphis until November

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Tennessee Conservative (by Paula Gomes) –

The gun control referendum, originally scheduled for August 2024 in Memphis, may be postponed until November.

Last year, the city council voted to add a referendum to the ballot that asked voters three questions:

• Does anyone need a permit to carry a gun and how can I store it in my car?

• Should there be a ban on future sales of assault weapons and restrictions on the use of assault weapons already in circulation?

• Should there be a red flag law under which law enforcement could seize weapons if someone is deemed a threat?

The fate of the remaining changes to the city’s statute is also uncertain.

According to Linda Phillips, Shelby County elections coordinatorquestions about gun control and another question about the requirement that mayoral candidates must live in the city for two years were not received in time to be added to the August ballot.

At last week’s council session, no vote was taken on moving the referendums.

If gun control issues are added to the November election, more than half of the county’s voters will notice them because Shelby County’s voter turnout statistics show that the presidential election is the most popular. Four years ago, only 19.1% of voters participated in the August election cycle.

In late May, Gov. Bill Lee signed bills that prevents cities and towns in Tennessee from creating or enforcing red flag gun laws.

The new law, passed by State Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma District 16) and State Rep. Jody Barrett (R-Dickson-District 69), takes over “the entire area of ​​Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) legislation, excluding any provisions , ordinance, resolution, ordinance or regulation of a county, city, town, municipality or metropolitan government.”

ERPOs, also called “red flag gun laws,” allow courts to seize firearms from someone who is considered a potential threat to themselves or others.

Supporters of the bill said the legislation is necessary to protect Tennesseans from possible government overreach in the area of ​​gun control. However, opponents argued that local governments should be able to decide for themselves depending on their own needs.

About the author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at: [email protected].