Memphis, Tenn. — The Tennessee chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement in response to the shooting outside Prive Restaurant on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tennessee. Reporting shows that two people were shot and killed and five more were shot and wounded. Officials say the shooting stemmed from an altercation inside the establishment.
“Tennessee lawmakers so proudly boast their ‘guns everywhere’ agenda, yet don’t seem to care about the deaths everywhere in our state due to gun violence,” said Mary Powers, a volunteer with the Tennessee chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Why do Nashville parents have an empty seat at their dinner tables, while our lawmakers continue to allow gun violence to run rampant throughout our state? We will hold our lawmakers accountable for the tragedies they continue to enable.”
This is at least the second mass shooting in Tennessee this week, occurring just three days following the mass shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, killing three children and three adults.
Tennessee has the 12th highest rate of gun deaths in the United States and some of the weakest gun laws in the country. Instead of further weakening the state’s gun laws, lawmakers should pass policies that will protect communities such as enacting secure gun storage requirements for both vehicles and homes, repealing Shoot First, also known as Stand Your Ground, and repealing permitless carry.
In an average year, 1,385 people are killed by guns in Tennessee, with a 52% increase from 2012 to 2021, compared to a 39% increase nationwide. Gun violence costs Tennessee around $18 billion each year. More information about gun violence in Tennessee is available here.
If you are interested in speaking with a Tennessee Moms Demand Action or Students Demand volunteer, or a policy expert please reach out to [email protected].
