TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Julia Wilburn on Nov 6, 2024

Memphis voters yesterday overwhelmingly passed three gun referendums that were on the ballot. The Daily Memphian reports that an amendment to require handgun carry permits passed with 81%, an amendment to ban assault rifles passed with 80% and an amendment to authorize red-flag laws passed with 84%. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti in September announced that the state would not challenge inclusion of the questions on the ballot after a chancellor ruled the measures could appear. The Memphis City Council had sued the Shelby County Election Commission after it ruled the measures could not be included. In Nashville, voters passed Mayor Freddie O'Connell's transit plan — a half-percent sales tax increase with revenues supporting a 15-year program of bus, sidewalk and traffic projects — with 66% of the vote, according to the Nashville Banner. In Shelby County, two cities elected mayors. Collierville Alderman Maureen Fraser received 57% of the vote over fellow Alderman Billy Patton's 43%. In Millington, Alderman Larry Dagen defeated Shelby County Republican Party leader Cary Vaughn to become the town's next mayor, the first new mayor in 12 years. The Commercial Appeal reports on both of those races.