TENNESSEE, USA — The state of Tennessee has decided to not challenge a ruling that will allow Memphis' gun referendum to be on the ballot this November.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has approved the decision to allow the ruling to appear on the ballot, while also criticizing the referendum and claiming that it will not lead to a change in the law.
“These ballot questions are a fraud on the voters of Memphis,” said Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. “They will not change the law. This is a futile stunt that wastes time and money when the city council should focus on ensuring existing laws are enforced. However, we respect the court's analysis of whether the vote should proceed and will not file an emergency appeal. This is Memphis's mistake to make and will ultimately be Memphis's mistake to pay for..."
Shelby County Chancellor Melanie Taylor Jefferson ruled three gun safety measures for Memphis can be on the November ballot on Sept. 11.
Memphis City Council approved a measure in July for the November 2024 ballot for voters to decide whether to amend the City of Memphis charter to restrict gun carry within the city, despite the Tennessee law allowing for permitless carry.
The ballot measure reads:
“Shall the Charter of the City of Memphis be amended to read:
- No person shall be allowed to carry a handgun in the City of Memphis without possessing a valid handgun carry permit.
- No person shall be allowed to carry, store, or travel with a handgun in a vehicle in the City of Memphis without possessing a valid handgun permit.
- It shall be unlawful for a person to store a firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, or firearm ammunition, in a motor vehicle or boat while the person is not in the motor vehicle or boat unless the firearm or firearm ammunition is kept from ordinary observation and locked within the trunk, utility or glove box, or a locked container securely affixed to the motor vehicle or boat."
Tennessee’s House Speaker and Lieutenant Governor said in August that they wanted to withhold state sales tax revenue from Memphis over the ballot referendum.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) said in a statement that they want to block local governments from attempting “to circumvent state law by politicized ballot measures or ordinances.”
Memphis City Council members filed a lawsuit against the Shelby County Election Commission that month.
The Shelby County Commission voted during a Sept. 10 commission meeting to support the City of Memphis in its lawsuit to put the gun safety ordinances on the November ballot.
A Memphis City Council spokesperson said they won their lawsuit on Sept. 11, 2024.