Voices for a Safer Tennessee

Voices for a Safer Tennessee is a nonpartisan statewide coalition dedicated to prioritizing gun safety and advocating for common sense gun laws to make communities across Tennessee safer for all of us.

Erin Rogus

Voices for a Safer Tennessee Commends Governor Lee’s Proposed Investment in TBI Background Check Resources

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New Proposed Funding to Address Tennessee’s Background Check Record Backlog Is A Top Safer TN Priority

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 6, 2024) – Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN), a nonpartisan organization dedicated to prioritizing firearm safety and promoting responsible firearm ownership, issued the following statement from policy director Erin Rogus in response to Governor Bill Lee’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2024-2025:

“Voices for a Safer Tennessee thanks the Lee Administration for their commitment to improving the accuracy of our background check system. Governor Lee’s proposed investment in additional Tennessee Bureau of Investigations (TBI) personnel focused on addressing the 761,000-background check record backlog and training local agencies on best reporting practices is an important step forward in creating a safer Tennessee.

Last year in Executive Order 100, Governor Lee called for expedited reporting into the Tennessee Instant Checks System and also directed the TBI to report on how the system could be improved. Now, the Administration is acting to address the challenges identified in the TBI’s report, including the concerning 761,000-record backlog that requires additional research and processing.

Addressing the backlog and identifying prohibited firearm purchasers is critical to keeping firearms out of the hands of felons and domestic abusers, and reducing preventable firearm tragedies. Safer TN is committed to working with members of the Tennessee General Assembly to preserve this funding in the final budget.”

About Voices for a Safer Tennessee: Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of Tennessee families, faith leaders, business executives and educators, hunters, gunowners, veterans and military families, who are dedicated to prioritizing pragmatic, evidence-based firearm safety laws and promoting responsible firearm ownership. Our mission is to build safer, healthier communities by reducing preventable firearm tragedies across Tennessee. We are founded by, led by, and funded by Tennesseans, committed to Tennessee solutions, with 25,000 coalition members across all 95 counties and growing. Learn more at safertn.org.

Tennessean: We have lost loved ones to suicides. Here’s what we can do to help others in distress.

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By Rev. Clay Stauffer and Rabbi Shana Mackler | December 19, 2023 

“Those of us who are involved in the leadership of faith communities understand all too well how tender this time of year will be for our friends and neighbors.

For most of us, December is a flurry of preparations for a gathering of loved ones during the Christmas and Chanukah seasons as we surround tables to celebrate our faith and the connections with our family.

But for many, those moments will be bittersweet as we remember those close to us who are no longer present to celebrate. The memories are especially painful when those loved ones have been lost because of a preventable firearm tragedy.”

Continue reading at The Tennessean.

Rev. Dr. Clay Stauffer is senior minister of Woodmont Christian Church and an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt University. He is an advisory board member of Voices for a Safer Tennessee.

Rabbi Shana Mackler is the rabbi and senior scholar at The Temple, Congregation Ohabai Sholom in Nashville.

Tennessean: Years after Army service, I’m working to protect my children from gun violence

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By Chris Baxley | November 14, 2023 

“Although I am a veteran, I have never made a big deal of Veterans Day. I certainly appreciate the kind words and hold in high regard all who’ve served.

This year, however, I am humbly asking for my fellow Tennesseans’ support in defending and protecting our children.

On March 27, the youngest two of our three children came home from school very anxious. They were on lockdown most of the day and knew something had happened. We explained that a shooter broke into Covenant, a nearby school, and murdered three children and three adults. Our then-second-grade son listened and darted off to his room to process the news. Our then-third-grade daughter stood like a statue in our kitchen. After what felt like forever, she asked: ‘Do I know them?'”

Continue reading at The Tennessean.

Chris Baxley, an Army veteran who most recently served as captain, is vice president of Health System Strategy and Partnerships at Radiology Partners

Tennessean: We can support both the Second Amendment and responsible gun ownership

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By Michael Bass and Prentiss Nelson | November 13, 2023

“Veterans stand with a constitutional oath to protect the public, rights including the Second Amendment, and gun safety.

As veterans of the United States Marine Corps, we each took an oath when we joined our service to protect and defend our country and the Constitution that governs it.

Ultimately, we committed ourselves to protecting our fellow Americans – our neighbors, family and communities. Though our active-duty service is over, we – and so many other fellow veterans – still carry this oath and commitment with us.”

Continue reading at The Tennessean.