by Jon Styf
Tennessee’s Secretary of State and Legislative leaders pushed back against a Memphis referendum regarding firearms regulations.
Secretary of State Tre Hargett told media outlets he would not allow the measures to reach the Nov. 5 ballot and Tennessee Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins reportedly sent a letter to Shelby County Election Commission Chairman Mark Luttrell saying the same.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Cameron Sexton threatened to withhold shared state sales tax from Memphis is the referendum were on the Nov. 5 ballot.
“Local govt’s who want to be progressive & evade state laws will lose shared sales tax funding,” Sexton wrote. “Subversive attempts to adopt sanctuary cities, allow boys in girl’s sports, limit 2A rights or other attempts will be met with stiff resistance. We hope they change course immediately.”
Memphis received $78 million in shared sales tax last budget year, State Affairs reported.
House Minority Leader Karen Camper said that Shelby County brought in $2 billion in state sales tax last year.
The ballot questions ask about preventing individuals from carrying a handgun without a permit, banning the sale or possession of “assault rifles” in most cases with some exceptions and the addition of extreme risk protection orders, often referred to as red flag laws.
The ballot initiatives conflict with state law, which allows for permitless carry, monitoring firearm sales and prevents red flag laws.
“These proposals represent the will of the people, and their intent is clear: to protect and enhance the safety of our communities,” Camper wrote to Sexton and Lieutenant Gov. Randy McNally. “Threatening to punish an entire county for exercising its democratic right is not only unprecedented but sets a dangerous precedent.”
State Rep. Antonio Parkinson, D-Memphis, believes the state should allow citizens to have their voices heard on the referendum.
“A city holding a referendum so that the people can speak does not break state law,” Parkinson said. “To have the threat of Memphis’ portion of sales taxes withheld because they made a choice to ‘hear’ the thoughts of their citizens on a state policy that is harmful to their communities is counter productive to say the least. We can do better.”
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Jon Styf is an award-winning editor and reporter at The Center Square, who has worked in Illinois, Texas, Wisconsin, Florida and Michigan in local newsrooms over the past 20 years, working for Shaw Media, Hearst and several other companies.
Photo “Gun Store” by Michael McConville.
