MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tennessee’s House Speaker and Lieutenant Governor said they want to withhold state sales tax revenue from Memphis over a ballot referendum to introduce gun control measures in the city.
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.” And Secretary of State Tre Hargett said his office would not approve such a measure for a ballot.
This comes after the 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 permit-less 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.
I, Shirley Ford, Director of Finance for the City of Memphis do hereby certify that the foregoing amendment shall have no impact on the annual revenues and expenditures of the City.”
In a letter dated Aug. 26 to the Shelby County Election Commission, Hargett said the measure was not "properly presented for placement" on the November 2024 ballot.
Hargett also issued this statement: "Common sense says local governments can’t override state law to give a 12-year-old a driver's license, and they can’t override other state laws either. Memphis has no authority to circumvent state law. Our office will not approve a ballot with items already preempted by state law.”
In a news release, Sexton and McNally said the legislature would not tolerate “attempts to go rogue and perform political sideshows.” They said if a city and its leaders don’t want to follow state laws, then they “do not need to participate in the state’s successes.”
The two said they would act to withhold shared state sales tax revenue from local governments who attempt “this type of action.” They said they expect any local governments trying to do this will drop them “in the very near future.”
“With the recent actions of the progressive, soft-on-crime DA in Shelby County and the Memphis City Council’s continued efforts to override state law with local measures, we feel it has become necessary to take action and protect all Tennesseans’ rights and liberties,” said Sexton. “We hope they will change course immediately.”
"The Tennessee Constitution clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of the state and local governments,” said McNally. “Shelby County needs to understand that despite their hopes and wishes to the contrary, they are constrained by these explicit constitutional guardrails."
Reaction to the threats
Memphis Mayor Paul Young's office issued the following response: "We understand the motivation - guns are at the center of the theft and violent crime issues in Memphis - we also appreciate and honor the importance of our state laws and the Tennessee Constitution. Guns pose a different risk for residents of Memphis than they do for some other municipalities, but we understand that we need to work with our state to determine a set of tools to restore peace in our community.
What happens next is up to the voters and the legislative branches. We are hopeful that we can all work together for the best possible outcome to reduce gun violence in our community."
St. Rep. John Gillespie (R-Memphis) said in a statement, in part: “I plan to vote in support of the gun safety measures that will appear on the Memphis ballot in this November’s election. Some argue these referenda should not appear on the ballot. I’ll leave this decision up to the courts. In the meantime, I’ll vote 'yes' for handgun carry permits, safe storage of firearms in automobiles, and red flag laws that keep guns out of the hands of those who are judged to be a danger to themselves or others."
In a letter to Sexton and McNally, Tennessee House Minority Leader Karen Camper said, "Threatening to punish an entire county for exercising its democratic right is not only unprecedented but sets a dangerous precedent... The proposed measures—banning unpermitted handguns, restricting assault rifles, and implementing a "red flag" law—are not radical. They are common-sense initiatives that reflect the growing concern among Memphis residents about the rising violence and the proliferation of firearms in our communities. These proposals are designed to save lives, reduce crime, and create an environment where people feel secure in their homes, schools, and public spaces."
State Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) said, in part, “It is abhorrent, reckless, and ridiculous that Cameron Sexton and Rand McNally are scheming to prevent any progress on ending the gun violence epidemic that is plaguing our city and county due to their cowardice, inaction, and detrimental actions over the years.”
He continued, “We will stand up and fight against this tyranny. We will not be bullied. We will not bend or heel to white supremacy. Will use the strength of People Power to resist this gross abuse of power. This is America, not Russia. Our city and county deserve a say in how we are governed. Our people deserve a say.”
“Stealing our tax money is illegal and holding it hostage is an act of moral cowardice at best and economic terrorism at worst. To jeopardize the health and welfare of an entire city to create a political sideshow is unconscionable and evil,” continued Pearson. “Memphis will not yield to this ridiculous, reckless, and racist threat to tread on our rights to exist free from gun violence and to chart our destiny through city-wide referendums. In the absence of state laws to protect our communities, we will protect ourselves.”
