Voices for a Safer Tennessee hosted a hybrid event Wednesday aimed at deepening community understanding of Tennessee’s legislative process and spotlighting Safer TN’s 2025 policy priorities.
Held at Belmont University’s Center for Interprofessional Engagement and Simulation at the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine and streamed online, the Legislative Learning Session featured an insightful panel discussion with former Tennessee lawmakers Rep. Sam Whitson (R-District 65) and Sen. Lowe Finney (D-District 27). They were joined by Safer TN Policy Director Erin Rogus, and the discussion was moderated by WBIR News Anchor Abby Ham.
Key takeaways:
- The most effective advocacy comes from voters in legislators’ home districts. That’s why you should know who your state Representative and Senator are, and contact them periodically to let them know firearm safety is a priority. Contact them again when a relevant bill is working its way through the legislative pipeline, and encourage others to do the same. Find your legislators here and follow Safer TN for information on important bills.
- Build coalitions in your district. Engage other people and organizations that might have a stake in firearm safety, like your school district, local healthcare providers, clergy, civic groups and businesses. Legislators pay attention when they see people from many segments of the community coalesce around an issue and proposed solutions.
- The Governor’s budget is crucial. Even the best bills may fail because they involve costs that are not budgeted, so planning ahead is important. In 2024, for example, Safer TN worked with the Governor to include funding to add needed personnel to strengthen our background check system.
- Stay positive and committed. Change takes time and persistence. We’re in this for the long haul.
What To Know Heading into the 114th Tennessee General Assembly
Safer TN has outlined what to expect in the coming weeks as the legislative session begins. The Tennessee General Assembly will gavel in at noon on Tuesday, January 14 in Nashville.
- The first order of business is the swearing in of the members-elect.
- Next, each body adopts its rules of procedure to be followed for the next two years, which determine how the Senate and House will conduct business.
- The membership of each body then elects a presiding officer or speaker for a two-year term.
- The Speakers in each body appoint the officers of each standing committee and the membership of the standing committees.
The above organizational business will be completed by Thursday of that week. At that point, the legislature typically has a two-week recess before convening in regular session and beginning to act on legislation.
- This year, the Governor may call a special session during the typical recess period for members to reconvene under special rules to consider school voucher legislation.
- Regular session will likely begin the first week of February, but this is still fluid. The bill filing deadline for House and Senate bills will likely fall then (deadlines will be finalized when each body adopts its rules).
- The Governor’s budget will be unveiled sometime in February when his State of the State address is given.
The Makeup of the Legislature:
The General Assembly has 33 Senators and 99 Representatives.
- The 114th General Assembly Senate is composed of 27 Republicans and 6 Democrats, elected to four-year terms.
- The 114th General Assembly House of Representatives is composed of 75 Republicans and 24 Democrats, elected in even-numbered years to two-year terms.
Learn more at the Tennessee General Assembly Website.
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Our annual report is live!
Safer TN is proud to present our first annual report, which showcases key achievements ranging from coalition growth to financials.
Find the annual report by clicking here.
Your generosity was overwhelming
With your help, Safer TN raised $240,000 through our end-of-year giving campaign. That is money that will help us with expanding education and outreach to our 30,000 members and beyond, while conducting data-driven research and polling on firearm safety. Additionally, we advocate for policies and programs that prioritize the safety of our communities while respecting the Second Amendment in this upcoming session.
You can still make a tax-deductible donation to our 501(c)(3) fund, hosted by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, by clicking this link. To learn more about the impact of your donation, visit this link.
Statewide organization asks legislators to pass firearm safety laws (WKRN Nashville)
7-year-old dies after accidentally shooting herself (Fox13 Memphis)
Shootings at Walmarts in Halls, Clarksville, and Lebanon, TN (WBIR Knoxville, WKRN Nashville & WGNS Radio)
Latest workplace shooting in TN highlights ongoing concerns of violence (WKRN Nashville)
11-year-old shot, is one of more than 140 treated for gunshot wounds at children’s hospital (Fox13 Memphis)
48-year-old woman killed outside her home near Opry Mills (WSMV Nashville)
Hendersonville man shoots at deer from truck while intoxicated (WKRN Nashville)
Bojangles employee, a minor, shoots at two men who pull weapons on him (WREG Memphis)
Man shot after accidentally merging in front of another vehicle (Fox13 Memphis)