Tennessee’s most powerful gun lobbying organization is suing Memphis over recently passed measures to restrict guns. The Tennessee Firearms Association, and a national guns rights group, are suing both the city and police chief.
On election day, Memphis voters approved three firearms reforms, including a so-called red flag law that would block gun sales to people who are deemed a threat to themselves or others. Voters also supported a ban on unlicensed handgun carry and the commercial sale of assault rifles.
The measures had overwhelming support with more than 80% of voters in favor, according to the Commercial Appeal.
The TFA lawsuit was filed despite the fact that the gun reforms couldn’t take effect until the legislature reconvenes. The referendum acts essentially as a trigger law that can’t be enforced unless the legislature put exemptions into state law. Instead, Memphian’s strong support for gun control measures sends a message to lawmakers about the reforms they want to see to slow gun violence in their city.
The lawsuit alleges that the measures violate the state’s new statute that only allows for the legislature to regulate firearms – not local governments. The suit says that Memphis city council is “thumbing their collective noses at the General Assembly” by allowing the measures to be on the ballot.
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