Memphis Youth Lead Charge for Gun Safety in Upcoming Referendums

Memphis Takes a Stand: Youth Activism at the Forefront of Gun Safety Referendums

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As election day arrives, one topic is sure to create buzz around town: the proposed gun referendums aimed at improving safety in Memphis. Several key measures will be presented to voters, and a passionate group of young advocates is rallying support for these crucial initiatives. They believe that now is the time to prioritize safer streets and make their voices heard.

Rallying for Change

The scene was electric as friends, families, and community activists gathered in Frayser, right at the location of 398 white crosses. Each cross symbolizes a life lost to gun violence in Memphis this year—a poignant reminder of the urgency behind these referendums. Standing at the forefront of this rally was Zahra Altarbe, a member of the Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope (MICAH) Youth Council. With palpable emotion, Zahra shared her heart with the crowd. “To think about their entire lives, their dreams, their aspirations and all the people that loved them — it’s so hard to comprehend,” she said.

Reflecting on a year marked by record homicides and instances of children being shot, these youngsters are reaching out to Memphis voters, urging them to back the proposed gun safety referendums. Saviana Whitefield, another MICAH youth member, expressed her frustration at being unable to vote. “Even though gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in Tennessee, we have no power when it comes to the decisions that affect our lives,” Whitefield shared, emphasizing her desire for change.

The Ballot Proposals

So, what exactly will Memphis voters see on the ballot? There are three main questions regarding gun safety measures:

• Would ban carrying a handgun within the city of Memphis without a valid permit. This includes both openly carrying a gun and having a handgun in a vehicle without a permit. If someone does have a permit, they can store the firearm and its ammo out of sight in a trunk or glove box.
• Would ban the possession or carrying of any assault rifles within Memphis. This proposal also seeks to restrict the commercial sale of assault rifles. Those who currently hold permits and own assault rifles would be grandfathered in, but they would need to pass a background check.
• Would allow courts to seize guns from individuals deemed a significant danger. Known as a red flag law or extreme-risk protection order, this initiative outlines a process for taking and returning weapons based on assessed risks to others or themselves.

The wording on the ballot will be quite extensive, so voters will also find detailed explanations of how these proposed laws would work.

Mock Election Success

To gauge community sentiment, MICAH organized a mock election where over 700 students, grades 5 and up, from 26 different schools participated in the voting process. The results were overwhelming, showing strong support for each proposal: 83.9% for the first question, 79.2% for the second, and 83.5% for the third. This impressive turnout demonstrates the importance of these issues to the younger generation.

Next Steps for Memphis

Regardless of how the referendums fare in the actual election, MICAH is committed to continuing their work toward finding solutions to curb gun violence in the city. These referendums serve as a bellwether for what citizens desire, and even if approved, immediate laws might not go into effect. However, they are seen as a stepping stone towards broader legislative action.

Memphis City Council Chairman JB Smiley mentioned the possibility of quickly pushing for a trigger law if the measures pass, indicating that the fight for gun safety is far from over.

As they take their stand, the youth’s commitment to advocating for change resonates throughout Memphis, proving that no matter the age, every voice matters in the pursuit of a safer community.