Summer is winding down and the state elections are heating up. Last week, 1,068,470 Tennesseans went to the polls to select nominees who will compete in the November 3 general election for Governor, State Senate, and State House seats. View the unofficial election results here. Congratulations to all the candidates who advanced.
In addition to the election, we’re celebrating a milestone for Safe at Home, introducing more of our fantastic interns, welcoming new board members, and sharing fall events across Tennessee.
Thanks for checking out these exciting updates!
#1 What We’re Tracking: Safe at Home Recap
This summer, our community came together and raised enough to provide 15,000 cable locks free of charge to gun owners across all 95 Tennessee counties. That means 1,250 locks will reach Tennessee gun owners every single month for a full year. 285 donors made it happen, with supporters represented in 17 Tennessee counties, from Davidson and Shelby to Bradley, Cocke, and Sequatchie.
When we hand a cable lock to someone at a community event, a conversation starts. A parent thinks about their own home differently. A firearm gets secured. Every one of those locks represents a family that is safer because of this community.
This is just one example of the work Voices for a Safer Tennessee does to protect Tennessee families from harm. We are grateful you have chosen to be part of this movement.
#2 What We’re Tracking: Meet More of Our Summer Interns
This summer, Voices for a Safer Tennessee welcomed a large class of incredible interns bringing energy and talent to our work. We introduced four of them last month. Here are two more.
Wynn Fuller is a rising junior at Harpeth Hall School in Nashville and a returning Safer TN intern. This is her second summer with the organization, and she is excited to dive deeper into the work. She has always felt compelled to be an active member of her community and to learn more about firearm safety, and her time with Safer TN has helped her become more informed and engaged with those around her.
Erin Jones is a rising junior at Bowdoin College, studying Government and Legal Studies and Art History. Originally from Franklin, Tennessee, she interned at the Tennessee Justice Center in high school, which sparked her interest in nonprofit work with a local focus. She cares deeply about her home state and helping it live up to its potential. She was drawn to Safer TN by its work addressing the impact firearm tragedies have on Tennesseans statewide, and she is pursuing a career in health policy and law.
#3 What We’re Tracking: Welcoming New Board Members
We are pleased to welcome two new members to the Voices for a Safer Tennessee C3 Board of Directors.
Lindsay Conrad has built her career around advancing thoughtful public policy and bringing people together to solve complex challenges. She serves as State Director for Arnold Ventures in Tennessee and as Senior Advisor to In the Black, where she works with policymakers, researchers, and community leaders to develop evidence-based solutions that strengthen government and improve the lives of Tennesseans.
Following the tragic shooting at Covenant, she felt a profound responsibility to become involved in efforts to promote practical firearm education and safety. She joins Safer TN with a commitment to fostering respectful dialogue, building broad coalitions, and advancing practical solutions that help keep Tennessee families and communities safe.
A native of Cleveland, Tennessee, Lindsay completed her undergraduate degree at Maryville College and her master’s degree at Vanderbilt University in economics. She currently lives in Knoxville with her husband, Drew, and their two school-aged sons.
Allyson Horner has spent more than 26 years building a career rooted in leadership, integrity, and service. She currently serves as General Manager of the Gibson County Utility District, where she has earned a reputation for hard work, professionalism, and building trusted relationships within her community.
A lifelong Tennessean, Allyson was born and raised in Trenton, where she grew up on her family’s farm. Her rural upbringing instilled the values of faith, personal responsibility, respect for others, and a strong work ethic that continues to guide her personal and professional life. She was raised with a deep respect for responsible firearm ownership and brings that perspective to Safer TN’s mission of protecting Tennesseans while respecting the Second Amendment. She was introduced to Safer TN through her cousin, Lauren Fortenberry, the West Tennessee Coalition Coordinator, and is committed to advancing practical solutions that reflect the voices and values of Tennessee families.
A native of Cleveland, Tennessee, Lindsay completed her undergraduate degree at Maryville College and her master’s degree at Vanderbilt University in economics. She currently lives in Knoxville with her husband, Drew, and their two school-aged sons.
Allyson continues to call Trenton home, where she treasures time with her three grandsons.
#4 What We’re Tracking: Stories from the Road
An Army veteran shared this with us at a community event.
“My youngest son was maybe 6 or 7 and he had his neighborhood buddy over at the house and they were playing. I was working in my office where I had one of my guns in one of those wooden cases with the glass front. They ran into my office and my son’s friend’s eyes got real big and he said, ‘ooh a gun.’ My son immediately stopped him and said, ‘it’s a real gun, we can’t use it unless my dad is with us.’
I showed my son the same thing I saw in basic training. I took a big gallon of water and had him shoot at it. I told him, “You see all the water gushing out, that’s the same way a body reacts to being shot.”
Conversations like these can help change the trajectory of firearm tragedies in our state. If you’d like to volunteer at an upcoming event or have us speak to your community group, email our community engagement coordinator, Katy Dieckhaus.
Join us as a volunteer, or just stop by to say hello, at an event near you!
August 15: Loudon Riverfest, Loudon
August 24: Lenoir City Rotary, Lenoir City
August 25: Bradley County Health Council, Cleveland
September 1: Cleveland Rotary Club, Cleveland
September 2: Rhea County Health Council, Dayton
September 3: Smokies Baseball Game, Knoxville
September 11–13: Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, Bristol
September 13: Memphis Back to School Bash, Memphis
September 20: 2nd Annual Chattanooga Back to School Bash, Chattanooga
October 4: Nashville Fall Family Fun Fest, Nashville
October 17: October Sky Festival, Rockwood
October 18: Knoxville Fall Family Fun Fest, Knoxville
#5 What We’re Tracking: Fall Events Across Tennessee
This fall, Voices for a Safer Tennessee is heading across the state for our Back to School Bash and Fall Family Fun Fest events. Join us for an afternoon of community, conversation, and connection.
Back to School Bash — Memphis
Sunday, September 13 | 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Grind City Brewing
[Register here]
Back to School Bash — Chattanooga
Sunday, September 20 | 4:00 to 6:00 PM
White Duck Taco
[Register here]
Fall Family Fun Fest — Nashville
Sunday, October 4 | 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Hillwood Country Club
[Register here]
Fall Family Fun Fest — Knoxville
Sunday, October 18 | 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Yee-Haw Brewing
[Register here]
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