(Memphis) The debate on guns is coming to the Shelby County Commission.
One commissioner is proposing a resolution to limit the power the federal government has on gun owners in Shelby County.
Commissioner Terry Roland says he wants to protect the Second Amendment rights of those who live in Shelby County but others say the right to bear arms is not under attack.
“I am a law-abiding citizen,” said Richard Patrone, as he was heading into a gun range Sunday afternoon. “I have the right to carry a concealed firearm and I do every chance that I get.”
He and other gun owners believe the right to keep and bear arms is under attack by the federal government.
“It’s very disappointing as a law-abiding citizen every time there is some type of gun violence or crime committed, that the people who are blamed are the law-abiding citizens such as myself by the people in Washington DC,” he said.
It’s for the same reasons Commissioner Terry Roland is proposing a resolution to limit the federal government’s power in restricting firearms of people living in Shelby County.
“This is nothing more than asking the state legislature to watch our backs as citizens,” the commissioner said.
Roland claims similar resolutions have been passed in places like Madison County, TN that protect the Second Amendment and citizens.
“I’m a hunter, but the second amendment is about tyranny and about protecting ourselves,” he said.
Commissioner Steve Mulroy added, “Here is an entirely un-based and irrational fear that the federal government is going to take away everyone’s guns, that you won’t be allowed to have guns for self-defense and hunting and that’s just not the case.”
Mulroy is a constitutional law professor. He says the US Supreme Court has already proven the federal government can regulate firearms. He believes the resolution is not necessary.
“The federal government is not doing anything right now that would violate our constitutional rights,” he said. “If they ever did, we have the courts to protect us. If we pass this, it won’t have any legal effect and it’s really kind of a waste of time.”
The resolution goes before the county commission on Monday.