When is a referendum a meaningless exercise in posturing and grandstanding designed to draw a few votes and zero results?

In the case of the gun control question before Memphis voters last week, it is when state law preempts local attempts to usurp authority and trample the Second Amendment.

Though it was hardly surprising that the western Tennessee city’s electorate rubber-stamped the referendum, the measures are sound and fury with zero significance.

Despite repeated warnings from state officials, Memphis leaders continued to push the empty proposals right up until Election Day. The ballot measure would ban so-called “assault weapons, require a permit to carry a handgun and institute a city-specific red flag law.

Shelby County voters approved the purely symbolic referendum despite warnings from the Tennessee attorney general that the measures would not stand. 

Remember, the Volunteer State initiated constitutional carry in 2021, a fundamental right that city political leaders sought to strip from residents. No longer do law-abiding citizens need to crawl to government officials to exercise their constitutional rights.

Further, state law “preempts the whole field of the regulation of firearms or ammunition, or combinations thereof.” 

Memphis has long been one of the nation’s most lawless urban areas, though violent crime is down 3% locally in 2024. The city still lags far behind the rest of the country in cleaning up its streets, as FBI data revealed a 10.3% drop in violent crime over the first half of this year compared to 2023.

Perhaps Memphis leaders should turn their attention to removing those who perpetuate the cycle of violence from the city and not go after law-abiding gun owners. Especially with toothless referendums that may earn a few brownie points with the anti-Second Amendment crowd but do nothing to actually keep good citizens safer.

The Anti Anti-2A Social Club is more than a name—it’s a stand against misinformation, double standards, and the relentless attacks on our rights. It’s for those who are done being quiet and ready to push back against a narrative that seeks to misrepresent and marginalize us.

They say the first step to solving a problem is admitting there is one. But here’s the thing: we’re not trying to “solve” anything. We’re here to embrace our rights, to stand firm, and to protect what’s ours.

This isn’t just another t-shirt; it’s a symbol of defiance and a call to action for everyone who refuses to be silenced. The Anti Anti-2A Social Club T-shirts, hats, and drinkware represent a movement that knows our rights are non-negotiable and proudly defends them.

So click the link below and wear it with pride. Because being part of the Anti Anti-2A Social Club isn’t just a choice—it’s a badge of honor.