'Protect Kids, Not Guns': Rep. Justin J. Pearson, Memphis teens call for gun reform

Memphians stepped up their calls for gun reform Saturday, ahead of next week's special legislative session focused on public safety.

Rep. Justin J. Pearson held a “Protect Kids, Not Guns” rally Saturday in front of the Shelby County Commission building in Downtown Memphis, which was followed by a press conference by the Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope addressing gun reform demands Memphis teens want the Tennessee Legislature to address.

During Pearson’s rally, community members and officials spoke out and gave personal testimonies of their experiences with gun violence. Some of the notable speakers included Memphis City Councilman Dr. Jeff Warren; JB Smiley Jr., vice chair of the Memphis City Council; and Shelby County Commissioner Erika Sugarmon, among others.

“What’s happening is not normal,” Warren said. “It is a public health emergency.”

MICAH’s press conference featured MICAH Youth Council students from Pleasant View High, Whitehaven High, St. Agnes, White Station High, Collierville High and Houston High.

Aribah Morshed, a senior at Pleasant View; Yasmeen Mannan, a senior at Pleasant View; Laila Gales, a junior at Whitehaven; Cinthia Torres, a sophomore from St. Agnes; and Alzahra Altareb, a sophomore from White Station, all spoke during the event, either sharing personal stories or detailing the gun reform demands MICAH wants the Tennessee Legislature to address.

GUN REFORM IN TENNESSEE: Ahead of special session, Memphians tell legislators they want youth resources, strong gun laws

Altareb shared an experience where it as announced an armed intruder was in her school. During the time in lockdown, all Altareb could think about is that she would not be able to get out alive. While it turned out the "intruders" were actually police officers who had been called to the school, the experience was enough to push Altareb to action.

“All I could think was where can I hide? I can’t call my family. I’m going to be killed, and there is nothing I can do about it," she said.

Mannan and Torres presented the demands MICAH has for the Tennessee Legislature, including:

• Allow authorities to temporarily remove guns from those who pose a risk to themselves or others by implementing Extreme Risk Laws.

• Keep guns away from dangerous people by requiring background checks on all purchases and closing the background check loophole.

• Stop firearms from falling into the wrong hands by requiring gun owners to provide safe storage and report lost and stolen guns.

• Prohibit the sale of high-capacity magazines.

• Repeal permitless carry laws.

“These actions are not the only legislative changes needed to address gun violence," Mannan said. "However, they are a critical first step in responding to the gun violence crisis.”

The special legislative session gets underway Monday in Nashville.

Jordan Green covers trending business news for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email Jordan.Green@commercialappeal.com or on X/Twitter, @_green_jordan_

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Rep. Justin J. Pearson, Memphis teens call for gun reform in Tennessee