'Put the gun down, Ja': Activists ask Morant to join calls for stricter gun laws amid latest controversy

A group of local activists want Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant to "put the gun down" and join them in advocating for stricter gun laws.

Activists from Ride of Tears, an organization that drives whenever a kid is the victim of a shooting, and Freedom from Unnecessary Negatives (FFUN), an organization working to provide alternatives to crime for young Memphians, called for steps to mitigate gun violence on the steps of the FedExForum Thursday. They were joined by Memphis mayoral candidate and current Memphis Shelby County School Board Member Michelle McKissack and David Page, a candidate for the state representative seat in District 86.

"We are here today because we're tired of what is happening in Memphis," said Kenny Lee, vice president of Ride of Tears. "We are tired of continuing to lose our kids due to gun violence...We're not here to condemn anybody, but we do know that video that went viral was pretty upsetting to so many young people."

Although speaking about Morant specifically at times, activists and public officials focused on the larger issue of gun violence in Memphis — but pinned his name as the latest perpetrator of gun culture.

Giannotto: Can Grizzlies keep Ja Morant as face of the franchise after latest gun video?

"It's not just the responsibility of Ja Morant when it comes to protecting our children," McKissack said to a group of reporters after the press conference. "The State of Tennessee and the gun laws that we have here, that's what's really endangering our children on a daily basis. I hope Ja Morant will really learn this time from his choices, but this is not just about Ja Morant. This is about how can we, as a community, as a state, make it safer for our children."

Mary Trice, the founder and CEO of Ride of Tears, wanted to let Morant know that the organization loves him, but also questioned why he felt the need to show off a gun.

"I don't know if the NBA told you, or the players that you know told you, but Ride of Tears is going to say it: We love you," Trice said. "Why are you playing with those guns, Ja? You're trying to let them know that you've got a bit of protection too, right? That's what you're doing because you're afraid.

"You ought to be afraid that you may end up in this casket, or your baby may end up in this casket by playing with the same gun you're playing with, Ja," Trice said, standing in front of a pastel pink children's casket.

Trice also asked Morant to join Ride of Tears in future events, including lobbying for stricter gun laws statewide.

"You say you want change," she said. "You say you're sorry to the grown people. Well, say you're sorry to the little people. You need to come out and take a ride with the Ride of Tears, and you need to join us. You've got something you want to say. You want to tell the young people to not pick up the gun, right Ja? If they will change the laws, things can change."

Morant entered hot water Sunday morning after clips from an Instagram Live showed Morant in a car with a friend, flaunting what appeared to be a handgun. He was previously suspended for eight games after a separate Instagram Live showed Morant holding what appeared to be a different handgun in a Denver strip club.

In a statement following his suspension from team activities, which the Grizzlies announced shortly after the video surfaced on social media, Morant acknowledged the video and said "there is more work to do."

"I know I've disappointed a lot of people who have supported me," Morant said in the statement. "This is a journey and I recognize there is more work to do. My words may not mean much right now, but I take full accountability for my actions. I'm committed to continuing to work on myself."

Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com and followed on Twitter @LucasFinton.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Activists ask Ja Morant to join calls for stricter gun laws