A spokesman for the group explains why the GOA is working alongside others to file a lawsuit against the city.
The City of Memphis just set a number of new gun control ordinances in place – and gun groups like the Gun Owners of America aren’t having it.
The group, alongside the Gun Owners Foundation (GOF) and the Tennessee Firearms Association, have filed a lawsuit against the city for such ordinances, which were originally passed by voters in direct opposition of the state’s preemption law.
The ordinances that are under argument with the lawsuit include:
- 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, who serves as Senior Vice President for Gun Owners of America, noted, “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, who serves as Gun Owners of America director for 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.”
A spokesman for the Gun Owners of America joins us now to discuss the situation further.
Sam Parades is available to speak on this subject, serving as Executive Director of the Gun Owners of America.
Stephen Willeford, the 2017 “hero with a gun” who serves as the spokesman for the Gun Owners of America, is also available.
Q&A:
- Why would the city of Memphis put gun control ordinances in place against a preemption law to begin with? Because the voters asked for it? Or something else?
- What made the Gun Owners of America decide to act with a joint lawsuit alongside other gun groups?
- Does the Second Amendment get involved in this argument at all, especially considering it allows everyone the right to bear arms?
- Could other cities try to follow such a dangerous precedent like Memphis is?
- What are you hoping will come from this lawsuit? What results are you looking for?
- FOR STEPHEN: You recently wrote a book called A Town Called Sutherland Springs: Faith and Heroism Through Tragedy, revolving around your 2017 “hero with a gun” situation. Tell us more about how this came together, and why it’s such an important read right now.
- FOR STEPHEN: Where can people find your book?
- Where can we learn more about you, as well as Gun Owners of America?
- You can learn more at http://www.thebarefootdefender.com. You can also read more about the Gun Owners of America at https://www.gunowners.org/.
About Sam Paredes…
Sam Paredes has been with Gun Owners of California for over 35 years, currently serving as Executive Director, a position he has held since 1998. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Gun Owners of America and Treasurer of Gun Owners Foundation.
GOC is a non-profit lobbying organization formed to protect and preserve our Second Amendment rights in California. Paredes is a registered lobbyist, has testified in hundreds of legislative committee hearings and has advocated on behalf of the gun community before the California Fish and Game Commission, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Justice.
Paredes has been interviewed by virtually every California news outlet as well as national and international media such as Fox News, ABC World News Tonight, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, the Larry Elder Show, Al Jazeera and the BBC (Britain and Australia) as an expert on gun laws in the Golden State. He is a frequent speaker before conservative groups and has given workshops on “Confrontational Politics” in Missouri, Nevada and throughout California and has served as co-host of Sacramento’s “Just Guns” radio show on Money 105.5 FM.
About Stephen Willeford…
Stephen represents Gun Owners of America and is known around the country as the “good guy with the gun” for helping stop the largest Texas mass shooting in the history of the state in 2017. He is available to speak about all gun rights issues, as well as the importance of Gun Owners of America. You can read more about him at http://www.thebarefootdefender.com.
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