The Memphis City Council filed a lawsuit against the Shelby County Election Commission after the commission removed three gun control questions from the November ballot following threats from top Republican state leaders. The ordinance aimed to address Memphis’ high rates of violent crime by requiring permits to carry handguns, banning the possession of AR-15 style rifles, and implementing a red flag ordinance. The lawsuit seeks to have the measures reinstated and put before voters in the upcoming election.
The decision to remove the gun control referendum came after Tennessee’s election coordinator sent a letter stating that the measures violated state laws and were therefore ineligible for the ballot. House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Senate Speaker Randy McNally issued a threat to withhold state funding if the referendum was allowed to proceed. The council members accused the Republican leadership of undermining democratic values and flooding the streets with weapons of war, calling for citizens to have a voice in the voting booth.
The council acknowledged the potential backlash from the Republican-dominated Legislature as the gun control measures conflicted with Tennessee’s existing laws, including permitless carry for handguns and a ban on local red flag laws. The threat to withhold funding and warnings from state officials prompted the Election Commission to remove the referendum, citing instructions from the election coordinator. The council’s efforts to address the city’s crime problem through gun control measures have been met with resistance from state lawmakers.
State Republicans have singled out Memphis, criticizing the city for its management of crime rates and response to the issue. Despite a decrease in reported crime for the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year, Memphis continues to face challenges with high homicide rates and increased burglaries. City leaders have accused Republican legislators of highlighting the city’s crime problem while obstructing efforts to address it. Despite allocating a significant portion of the budget to law enforcement and implementing crime intervention programs, the council faces opposition from state lawmakers.
Memphis received nearly $78 million in state sales tax revenue in 2023, contributing to the city’s $858 million budget. Democrats representing Memphis have accused Republican state leaders of neglecting the city’s needs while emphasizing law enforcement support. The council’s efforts to increase police salaries and implement crime prevention programs have been overshadowed by the Republican opposition to the gun control measures. The lawsuit filed by the council aims to uphold the democratic process and give residents the opportunity to vote on important issues affecting public safety in the city.
