State Funding Threat Leads to Removal of Gun Control Measures from Memphis Ballot

Memphis election officials decided on Tuesday to exclude three gun control questions from the November ballot. This decision followed threats from top Republican state leaders to withhold tens of millions in state funding. Tennessee's election coordinator, Mark Goins, had sent a letter to the Shelby County Election Commission on Monday, stating that the gun control measures violated several state laws.

Earlier this year, the Memphis City Council approved a proposal to ask voters if they wanted to amend the city charter. The amendments would require permits to carry handguns, ban AR-15 style rifles, and implement a red flag ordinance. This ordinance would allow law enforcement to remove firearms from individuals deemed an imminent danger to themselves or others.

Republican Leaders' Response

House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Senate Speaker Randy McNally issued their ultimatum regarding state funding hours before Goins' letter. Goins noted that "unequivocable declarations by the General Assembly" left "no authority" for Memphis officials to propose such amendments. He also raised concerns about the city's failure to follow public notice procedures required for a referendum on November 5.

In response, Shelby County Administrator of Elections Linda Phillips stated, "The state elections coordinator guides the commission in running elections, and we will follow his direction." She added, "If the City of Memphis decides to challenge this interpretation, we will respect the final decision made by the courts."

Memphis City Council's Stance

The Memphis City Council acknowledged that their proposals might conflict with Tennessee's lax gun laws. Despite this, council members representing the predominantly Black and left-leaning city were willing to take the risk. Councilman Chase Carlisle remarked during a 2023 meeting, "If the General Assembly wants to punish us and punish our citizens for asking for their help, we will deal with that accordingly, but that would be absolutely heartbreaking."

In 2021, Republican lawmakers and Governor Bill Lee approved permitless carry for handguns. In May this year, they banned local cities and counties from implementing their own red flag laws. Many within the Republican supermajority have resisted calls to limit firearms, especially after a gunman killed three adults and three children in a Nashville school last year.

Funding Threats and Legal Challenges

The push to include gun control questions on the Memphis ballot led Secretary of State Tre Hargett to warn that his office would not approve any ballot containing these initiatives. Last year, Memphis received nearly USD 78 million from state sales tax revenue and currently operates an USD 858 million budget.

Mayor Paul Young responded to the Legislature's ultimatum by stating, "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." He added, "What happens next is up to the voters and the legislative branches."

Crime Rates and Legislative Actions

Tennessee's white-majority Legislature has long criticised Memphis leaders for their handling of crime rates. In 2023, Memphis experienced a record-breaking 398 homicides and over 14,000 burglaries. However, preliminary figures from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation showed that reported crime rates in Memphis for the first half of 2024 were lower than those in the first half of 2023 in almost all major categories.

Trust further eroded this year when Republican lawmakers and Governor Lee signed legislation undoing police traffic stop reforms implemented after officers fatally beat Tyre Nichols last year. State Rep. Justin J. Pearson, representing a Memphis district, criticised the election commission's decision as "dangerous for democracy." He expressed hope that the city council would take legal action.

"I am furious and disappointed that the Shelby County Election Commission felt that it needed to yield to the tyrannical and authoritarian actions of the Republican leadership of this state," Pearson said. "They are abusing their positions and authority to intentionally circumvent the will of the people in our city."

Senate Speaker Randy McNally praised the election commission's decision, appreciating that they recognised county officials cannot make state law.