Washington, D.C. – Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF), together with the Tennessee Firearms Association, today filed a lawsuit in Shelby County, Tennessee against the City of Memphis’ newly adopted gun control ordinances, which were passed by voters in direct opposition to the state’s robust preemption law. The ordinances in question, which were adopted via ballot measure on election day, will:
Ban the carry of handguns without a permit, despite the state’s newly enacted permitless carry law;
Ban the possession and sale of “assault rifles” without even defining what constitutes such a weapon; and
Create a local “red flag” gun confiscation order that empowers local police to strip law-abiding citizens of their guns without due process.
Erich Pratt, GOA’s Senior Vice President, issued the following statement:
“Tennessee has one of the strongest preemption laws in the nation, and the very reason it exists is to prevent radical anti-gun cities from enacting the very sort of draconian policies Memphis just ‘adopted.’ We are hopeful that Tennessee Courts will quickly block this insubordinate violation of state law.”
Chris Stone, GOA’s Director of State and Local Affairs, added:
“Memphis voters overwhelmingly chose to strip their fellow citizens of their fundamental rights, and now city officials, knowing full well these ordinances will patently violate Tennessee law, are planning to implement them. This is unacceptable, and we are eager to fight back.”
GOA spokesmen are available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center.
