State Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis) told KWAM Monday he will push for tighter gun laws across Shelby County in the upcoming legislative session in Nashville.
“Let me be clear. I’m a pro-gun Democrat, but I’m a pro-gun Democrat with common sense,” Parkinson said. “But permitless carry in Shelby County needs tweaking,”
Parkinson pointed his finger at the states permitless carry law passed in 2021, calling the law “cookie cutter.”The law allows most adults to carry a handgun without a permit,
“When you hear a gun shot in the rural areas, somebody more than likely is probably hunting for food,” the lawmaker told KWAM host Ben Deeter. “When you hear gun shots in the urban areas, there’s a possibility that there’s a crime happening.”
Lawmakers will return to the state Capitol on Tuesday to kick off the 2024 legislative session.
Listen to KWAM’s full conversation with Rep. Parkinson below: