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.

Jessica Jaglois

Voices for a Safer Tennessee Launches Radio Campaign Promoting Secure Firearm Storage Across Middle Tennessee

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Voices for a Safer Tennessee Launches Radio Campaign Promoting Secure Firearm Storage Across Middle Tennessee

Nashville, TN (September 2025) — Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN), a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to advancing firearm safety, has launched a new radio campaign across iHeartRadio stations in Middle Tennessee. The campaign aims to reach rural and suburban audiences with a message emphasizing responsible gun ownership and the life-saving importance of secure firearm storage.

Safer TN prioritized this outreach because most firearm deaths in Tennessee are suicides. The state’s firearm suicide rate is 50% higher than the national average, and rural residents die by suicide at a rate 1.2 times higher than those living in metropolitan areas.

Tennessee also ranks third in the nation for accidental shootings involving children—most often preschool- or high school-aged victims. These tragedies affect families statewide and are frequently preventable through secure storage practices.

The ad features a Tennessee father and grandfather sharing his personal perspective:

“In my family, we take safety seriously. We teach our kids how to be safe around firearms and lock them up when they’re not in use. But every year in Tennessee, guns fall into the wrong hands, including children’s hands, because they weren’t secured in a home or vehicle. It’s also why I’m a member of Voices for a Safer Tennessee—a group focused on responsible gun ownership and safer communities. Join us today at SaferTN.org. That’s SaferTN.org.”

The campaign underscores the vital role secure firearm storage plays in preventing suicides, accidents, and injuries—especially among children—and reinforces Safer TN’s commitment to being a trusted resource and partner for families and gun owners across Tennessee.

Secure storage isn’t just a best practice—it can save lives,” said Tim Sinks, Safer TN Treasurer. “Our mission is to provide families with the tools and encouragement they need to take practical steps that protect loved ones and strengthen communities.

Safer TN Tracker | 5.20.25

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Safer TN is proud to celebrate two years of advocacy, action, and impact. Born out of tragedy but built on hope, our organization was founded by Tennesseans united in a shared goal: creating a safer state for all. Today, that mission is stronger than ever. 

Learn more about Safer TN’s successes, activities and future directions by joining our live informational webinar tomorrow. We’ll answer your questions, brief you on our growing calendar of presentations and events statewide, and share exciting news about expanding our team—and our reach. Thank you for being part of this growing movement.

Safer TN Spring Webinar

Join us Wednesday, May 21 at noon CT / 1 p.m. ET for a free webinar, where we’ll take you behind the scenes of our work this spring and give you a deeper look at what’s next.

During this legislative session, we successfully advocated for several firearm safety bills that are now law—important public safety wins that will help protect more Tennesseans. At the same time, we fought hard to stop several concerning bills that could have increased risk in our communities. We’ll talk about the strategy behind our work at the Capitol, the relationships we’re building, and how this momentum is helping to fuel a growing movement. Beyond policy, we’ll share how our education and outreach efforts are expanding and how our supporters—like you—are powering this work through generous donations and advocacy.

We covered some of this in our recent press release, but this webinar is your opportunity to ask questions directly and hear from our leadership team. We’ll also go more in-depth on some exciting expansion news, including plans to grow our team and extend our reach even further.

Whether you’re new to Safer TN or one of our longtime supporters, we hope you’ll join us to stay informed, inspired, and engaged in the work ahead, make sure you register for the webinar here.You will receive a Zoom link via email before the webinar begins. Ask your questions by filling out this form. We’ll answer as many as we can. 

Safer TN’s Second Anniversary Celebration

Musicians at Safer TN at Second Anniversary Celebration/Reed Smythe Shopping Event

Safer TN recently celebrated its second anniversary, marking two years of tireless advocacy, growth, and progress toward building a safer future for all Tennesseans. We were honored to commemorate this milestone at the beautiful home of Board Member Clay Richards and his wife, Amy, surrounded by passionate supporters, dedicated volunteers, and friends of the movement. The evening was a heartfelt reminder of how far we’ve come and how much power there is in community.

In addition to our anniversary celebration, we were thrilled to gather with supporters earlier this month at Reed Smythe & Company in Nashville, a local favorite known for its elegant Southern-inspired home goods, which generously donated a portion of sale proceeds to Safer TN. It was a wonderful way to connect with both new and longtime advocates in a beautiful, serene setting.

Your donation powers real change by funding lifesaving education for Tennesseans, data-driven firearm safety research, PSA campaigns, and the distribution of gun locks to new parents. It’s not too late to make an impact — donate now.

From the East to the West

Safer TN has had an impactful and energizing month on the road, connecting with communities across the state and building momentum for lasting change. In Lawrenceburg, we had the opportunity to speak with local leaders and members of the Rotary Club, who welcomed us warmly and shared their commitment to safer communities. Next up: we’re headed to Dyersburg on Friday to continue these conversations.

One of the highlights of the month was a powerful forum in Memphis, hosted by Hope Church and the Memphis Christian Pastors Network. More than 200 attendees gathered to hear from a panel that included Safer TN leadership, law enforcement, and community members personally impacted by firearm tragedies. The discussion highlighted both the urgency of the firearm violence crisis and the shared determination to find real, workable solutions.

Encouragingly, Memphis has seen significant progress in reducing violent crime—reporting double-digit declines across several categories last year, including a 30% drop in murders. City officials attribute this progress to strategic reforms within the Memphis Police Department and increased collaboration across sectors. While serious challenges remain, these results underscore what’s possible when civic leaders, law enforcement, and community organizations like Safer TN work together.

We also hosted a luncheon to thank our incredible legislative volunteers, whose tireless support has powered our advocacy at the Capitol. As we look ahead to a pivotal election year, we’ll need even more help—especially from our friends in rural and suburban communities. We’re growing, and we need you with us.

Want us to speak to your Chamber of Commerce, PTO, Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions Club, or other group (in person or via Zoom)? We’d love to! DM us or email emily@safertn.org to get something started.

Lawrenceburg Rotary Hosts Safer TN’s Todd Cruse

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Lawrenceburg, TN – On May 16, 2025, the Lawrenceburg Rotary Club welcomed Todd Cruse, Board Chairman of Voices for a Safer Tennessee, as the guest speaker for its regular meeting. Cruse shared powerful insights on the critical issue of gun safety and the organization’s mission to reduce gun violence and promote responsible firearm ownership.

Todd Cruse began by highlighting the tragic connection to the Covenant School shooting, revealing that one of the victims was his neighbor. This personal connection fueled his commitment to the cause, emphasizing the urgent need for action to address gun violence, particularly among children. Tennessee ranks as the third-highest state in the nation for kids involved in firearm-related incidents. Cruse pointed out that states with stronger firearm storage laws tend to have lower rates of such incidents, making safe gun storage a critical focus.

He also shed light on the fact that Tennessee’s firearm suicide rate is 50% higher than the national average, underscoring the importance of proactive measures in preventing gun-related tragedies. The conversation also touched on the alarming statistics surrounding firearm thefts in Tennessee, particularly in Memphis, which has the highest number of stolen firearms in the state, followed closely by Nashville and Chattanooga.

Cruse emphasized that Voices for a Safer Tennessee is not a “gun-grabbing” organization but one that actively supports the Second Amendment while advocating for common-sense policies to promote safety. The coalition, which includes thousands of responsible gun owners—including hunters, veterans, first responders, and active military personnel—seeks to foster a collaborative and purpose-driven approach to solving the gun violence crisis. Key policy recommendations include:

Expanded Background Checks: Closing loopholes on private sales to ensure that firearms don’t end up in the wrong hands.

Secure Storage of Firearms: Advocating for stronger laws to encourage safe storage, especially since many school shootings involve guns taken from relatives’ or friends’ homes, or unsecured firearms stolen from vehicles.

Establishing a Temporary Transfer Process: A law already enacted in 21 states that has shown to reduce firearm suicides by up to 14% in states with the longest implementation periods.

Cruse highlighted the organization’s legislative accomplishments, which aim to balance the right to bear arms with practical solutions for public safety.

Rotarian Rhee Perry introduced the program.

Safer TN Tracker | 5.2.25

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A successful legislative session has come to a close — and we’re proud of the meaningful progress made this year. (We’ll share more details on that below!) With the legislative season wrapping up, The Tracker is transitioning to a monthly format. This change allows us to deliver more thoughtful updates, highlight big-picture progress, and keep you informed without crowding your inbox.

But don’t worry — you won’t be out of the loop! We’ll still send timely email alerts about what’s happening in your area, upcoming events, and other important developments. And as always, you can stay connected with us in real time on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Thank you for being part of this movement — your voice, engagement, and support continue to drive change.

Celebrating Progress: Safer TN Reflects on a Powerful Legislative Session

Safer TN believes in turning urgency into action — and the 2025 legislative session was a powerful example of that.

Over the course of just 90 days, we helped advocate for policies that create safer communities and helped stop dangerous legislation that would have put more lives at risk. Thanks to our volunteers, partners, and supporters, we’re proud to share some key wins and milestones from this session.

In collaboration with law enforcement, lawmakers and prosecutors, we successfully advocated for several measures that passed with strong bipartisan backing:

  • Banning Glock switches, which turn handguns into fully automatic weapons
  • Prohibiting felons from possessing ammunition
  • Strengthening sentencing for drive-by shootings
  • Criminalizing threats of mass violence

We also stopped legislation that would have made Tennesseans less safe — like bills weakening security at schools, hospitals, and houses of worship. With growing bipartisan support, we helped stop these bills before they could do harm.

Read our full press release here.

$50K to $2 Million — and Counting

Thanks to the incredible generosity of supporters across Tennessee — and a matching gift from Memphis philanthropist Barbara Hyde — we’re thrilled to share that Safer TN raised more than $65,000 in just 50 hours, far surpassing our $50,000 goal.

This marks a major milestone: we’ve now raised over $2 million since our founding.

Your support powers work that saves lives, including:

  • Education and outreach to more than 30,000 Tennesseans, sharing practical, nonpolitical tips for safe firearm storage and responsible ownership.
  • Billboard campaigns seen by millions, reminding parents, communities, and gun owners how small actions — like locking up firearms — prevent tragedies.
  • Distribution of gun locks and secure storage information to new parents and caregivers across the state.
  • Data-driven research and polling that will give lawmakers and community members the information they need to shape smart, effective safety policies.
  • PSA campaigns and digital outreach that will bring firearm suicide prevention and safe storage tips into homes and communities statewide.

We’re deeply grateful to every one of you who helped make this milestone possible. Your generosity is more than a number — it’s fuel for a growing, statewide movement for a safer Tennessee.

It’s not too late to make a difference. Donate now to support this lifesaving work and help us keep the momentum going. Every gift is tax-deductible and directly supports education, outreach, and advocacy across our state.

You can learn more about how your donation dollars work by clicking here.

Trippin’ in Tennessee

Over the past month, the Safer TN team has been on the road — meeting with Tennesseans from all walks of life to discuss practical, lifesaving solutions to firearm violence. These visits are central to our mission: bringing data, education, and community-driven strategies directly to the people who care deeply about safety in their neighborhoods.

In Memphis, we had the opportunity to connect with faith, business, and civic leaders to discuss the unique challenges their communities face and the ways we can work together to build a safer future. We also shared strategies for secure firearm storage and emphasized how simple, voluntary actions can save lives.

In Chattanooga, we spoke at the Avondale Community Center, where we joined local residents for a meaningful conversation about firearm tragedy prevention. We were inspired by the level of community engagement and the commitment to finding common ground.

This past week, we traveled to Clarksville, Clinton, and downtown Nashville, continuing our outreach and speaking with partners and residents about how education and awareness can drive real change.

We’ve also been in touch with community leaders in Knoxville, where we’re planning a community-focused event this June. 

Everywhere we go, we’re reminded that Tennesseans want safety solutions. They want to protect their families, neighbors, and communities — and they’re eager to learn how they can help.

If you’re part of a Chamber of Commerce, PTO, Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions Club, or other civic group, and you’re interested in hosting a conversation about firearm safety, we’d love to connect. Whether in person or via Zoom, we’re here to bring the tools, data, and hope that can move us toward a safer Tennessee.

To learn more or schedule a visit, reach out to us at emily@safertn.org. We look forward to hearing from you.

Safer TN Tracker | 4.21.25

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Our hearts are with the Florida State University community and all those impacted by last Thursday’s devastating shooting, in which the son of a sheriff’s deputy allegedly used her service weapon to kill two people and injure six others. This tragedy is yet another painful reminder of how easily firearms can fall into the wrong hands — and how quickly lives can be shattered.

According to The Washington Post, the majority of school shootings in America involve firearms taken from the homes of parents, relatives, or friends. This fact underscores what we at Safer TN know to be true: secure firearm storage is a lifesaving measure.

That’s why we’ve launched a new public awareness campaign, including billboards across the state, to urge responsible gun ownership and promote secure storage practices. Because at the heart of a safer Tennessee is a shared commitment to protecting one another — especially our children.

This message carries even more weight as we mark a day bookended by two heartbreaking anniversaries: the Columbine High School massacre and the Waffle House shooting in Nashville. These tragedies — and far too many others — remind us why our work matters. At Safer TN, we reflect, we grieve, and we press forward.

Honoring the victims of two mass shootings

Monday is bookended by two painful anniversaries that underscore the urgency of our work. Sunday marked 26 years since the Columbine High School massacre, where 12 students and one teacher were killed—a tragedy that shook the nation and marked the beginning of a devastating trend. On Tuesday, we remember the Waffle House shooting in Nashville, where four young lives were taken and four others injured—two of whom were left unable to walk.

Since Columbine in 1999, there have been 428 school shootings nationwide—an average of 17 per year, or more than one every month, according to The Washington Post. Here in Tennessee, we’ve seen 93 mass shootings in the past five years alone, according to the Gun Violence Archive—that’s one nearly every other week and it continues to rise.

In nearly 9 out of 10 cases where the source of a school shooter’s firearm could be determined, the gun came from the home of a parent, relative, or friend.

Still, there is a glimmer of hope in the Volunteer State. According to the Tennessee Department of Education, serious incidents in schools—such as handgun possession and assaults on teachers—decreased during the 2023–2024 school year. But we cannot let our guard down. 

Secure firearm storage is such a critical part of the solution. With this anniversary, we reflect, we remember—and we recommit to protecting our children, educators, and communities.

Spotlighting Tennessee’s intimate partner homicide

In 2022, nearly 200 Tennesseans lost their lives to homicide or suicide following violence or conflict in their intimate partner relationships, according to data from Tennessee’s Violent Death Reporting System. Most of these deaths involved a firearm.

That troubling reality has been reflected in headlines across the state over the past two weeks. In the Tri-Cities, a man was convicted of murdering his girlfriend. In Memphis, a woman was allegedly killed by her boyfriend. In Nashville, a murder-suicide claimed the life of a mother. And in Crockett County, a woman shot her intimate partner, reportedly in self-defense.

These tragic stories are part of a broader pattern. Most intimate partner homicides are committed with a firearm—making access to guns a deadly factor in abusive relationships. At Safer TN, we are committed to raising awareness and advocating for policies that help keep families safe, including efforts to ensure firearms are securely stored and kept out of the hands of those who pose a danger to others or themselves.

Advocates urge loved ones to speak up if they suspect violence in someone’s relationship. Asking questions, offering support, and helping connect people to resources can make a difference. Survivors are also encouraged to have a plan in place before leaving an abusive situation—leaving can be the most dangerous time. 

Find more resources and tips for help at the YWCA.

Legislative Tracker

The TN General Assembly is wrapping up final votes this week, after passing a $59.8 billion budget last Wednesday. Despite the dozens of firearm-related bills introduced at the start of session, only a handful have made it across the finish line. 

The good news: None of the truly dangerous bills Safer TN opposed made it out of committee. Additionally, two important bills for public safety – one that would criminalize threats of mass violence, and another that would make Glock switches and ammunition possession by felons illegal – have cleared major hurdles and are up for final votes today and possibly tomorrow. 

Monday, April 21 (TODAY): 

  • Expect a Senate Floor vote on SB1296, sponsored by Leader Jack Johnson, to criminalize threats of mass violence. The Senate is meeting at 4pm for floor votes, and this legislation appears as #28 on the Regular Calendar.  Watch floor votes live here. 
  • The House version of this legislation, HB1314, passed the House on April 15th by a vote of 83-11. Thanks to Leader Lamberth for his leadership on this bill! 
  • Expect a House Floor vote on HB1093, sponsored by Speaker Sexton. This legislation makes Glock switches illegal at the state level (these enable a pistol to fire automatically like a machine gun), prohibits felons from possessing ammunition, and requires 100% of sentence to be served for a person convicted of aggravated assault involving the discharge of a firearm from within a motor vehicle. The House is meeting at 10am today for votes, and this bill appears as #22 on the Regular Calendar. Good news for this bill, it received funding in last week’s budget bill, so if approved it has the appropriated funds to go into effect. Watch floor votes live here. 
  • The Senate version of this bill, SB1075, sponsored by Leader Johnson, is up for consideration today in Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee, which is meeting at 12:30pm today. SB1075 is #20 on the calendar. If it passes out of committee, it will be calendared for the Senate Floor. Watch the committee hearing live here. 

To make it to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law, a bill must pass both the House and Senate. 

Presentations in suburban/rural parts of Tennessee

At Safer TN, we’re passionate about connecting with and educating communities across Tennessee=about the very real dangers of unsecured firearms, the rise in firearm suicide rates, and the practical, life-saving steps we can take together to build safer communities.

Our educational presentations highlight solutions like increasing access to mental health care, implementing effective school safety measures, and ensuring firearms are securely stored and kept out of the hands of those who pose a risk to themselves or others.

Last week, we were honored to bring this message to the Montgomery County Health Council and the Sumner County NAACP, where we engaged in meaningful conversations and shared resources grounded in data and compassion.

Want to help us expand our reach? You can! Connect us with a civic organization, neighborhood group, workplace, or church — any group that could benefit from an evidence-based, engaging presentation on gun safety.

Just email us at info@safertn.org — we’d love to join you.

Passover, Easter and a belated Eid al-Fitr

Over the past several weeks, many across the U.S. have observed sacred holidays and traditions — from Good Friday and Easter, to Passover, to Eid al-Fitr. We hope everyone who celebrated found moments of peace, connection, and joy with family, friends, neighbors, and their wider communities.

At Safer TN, these moments remind us why we do this work: because everyone deserves to be safe — safe while celebrating milestones of faith and culture, safe in their schools and homes, and safe as they move through the world. It’s not about politics or partisanship — it’s about people. No matter your religion, beliefs, age, or background, your right to safety is non-negotiable.

If you’re feeling alone in your concern, or want to connect with others who share your values, reach out! We’re building a movement grounded in compassion, data, and real community action — and we’d love for you to be part of it.

Follow us on social media, email us at info@safertn.org, or consider making a donation to support our work. Together, we’re creating a safer Tennessee — for everyone.