JR Pershall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 27, 2024

For More Information, Contact Kelly Brockman, kelly@mcneelybrockmanpr.com

NASHVILLE – Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN) welcomes two recent national firearm safety developments that represent positive steps toward reducing preventable firearm tragedies.

“We are encouraged by the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that temporarily removing access to firearms for those who pose a credible threat is constitutional and consistent with the Second Amendment,” said Todd Cruse, chair of Safer TN’s Board of Directors. “The decision in United States v. Rahimi reverses a dangerous ruling that would have allowed those with domestic violence restraining orders to be armed.”

 “We also recognize the importance of this week’s advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General, which declares firearm violence in America to be a public health crisis that requires the nation’s immediate awareness and action,” said Cruse.

“These two landmark developments underscore the policy solutions Safer TN has been advocating since its inception – temporary transfer laws, background checks on every firearm transaction, and secure storage of firearms,” he said.

Firearms are the #1 cause of death for Tennessee children (ages 1-17), and Tennessee ranks #3 in the nation for accidental shootings by children. More die from firearms than from traffic accidents for the first time in history, he added. 

Both the high court ruling and the Surgeon General’s advisory cited large amounts of data to support their decisions (link to graphics of stats developed yesterday). “This is consistent with Safer TN’s emphasis on policy making based on data and evidence,” Cruse said.

The 8-1 Supreme Court ruling in a case involving domestic violence held that if a person had been found to pose a credible threat by a court of law, they could be temporarily disarmed without violating the Second Amendment’s overall right to bear arms.

The Surgeon General’s declaration said gun violence requires a public health approach similar to those involving safety belts for automobiles, pesticide approvals, and antismoking campaigns. It highlights the importance of securely storing firearms and expanding background checks.

Safer TN Advisory Board member Senator Bill Frist, MD, a heart and lung transplant surgeon and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader, wrote of these significant firearm safety decisions:

“This moment calls for action. The Supreme Court has made clear we have the ability to protect our communities from those who pose a threat to themselves or others. The Surgeon General has laid out a clear case of why we must act. We have the tools to address this public health crisis – now we must do the hard work of putting them to use.”

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June 17, 2024

NASHVILLE – Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN) is applauding the statewide effort by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to promote safe storage of firearms by offering free cable locks. The initiative, which is accompanied by a video campaign, was authorized by the Tennessee General Assembly during the August 2023 Special Session.

“Safer TN is grateful for the secure storage of firearms education campaign by Governor Lee and the Tennessee Department of Safety. We encourage gun owners to use the free cable locks provided by the state and to purchase a tax-free gun safe for storage at home or other places, like their vehicles,” said Claudia Huskey, Safer TN executive director. 

“Tennessee ranks #3 in the nation for accidental shootings by children, and firearms are now the #1 cause of death for children ages 1-17.” she said. “We also lead the nation in firearms stolen from vehicles, many of which are later used in crimes.”

Huskey said research shows that secure storage is one of the best ways to prevent firearm deaths and injuries and that it is especially important during summer, when children and teens are not in school, to make sure firearms are locked up and not accessible to those who shouldn’t have them. “Our volunteer-driven group of Tennesseans has advocated tirelessly to advance measures such as these and will continue to support pragmatic ways to better incentivize and remove barriers to the secure storage of firearms,” she said.Free cable locks are available in every county. To find a location near you, check the Safe Store Tennessee website.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 28,2024

Tennesseans link arms in Nashville and participate in satellite community gatherings across the state  

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Yesterday approximately 12,000 Tennesseans linked arms from Centennial Park and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt down Broadway to the State Capitol to honor the six victims of The Covenant School shooting and the nearly 1,300 adults and children who lost their lives to preventable firearm tragedies over the last year in our state.  

“Linking Arms for Change” was hosted by Voices for a Safer Tennessee, a nonpartisan statewide coalition formed in the days following The Covenant School tragedy. The group is dedicated to creating healthier, safer communities by reducing preventable firearm tragedies and advocating for pragmatic firearm safety laws.  

“During ‘Linking Arms for Change’, Tennesseans once again showed that they stand with the Covenant community and the loved ones of all victims of preventable firearm tragedies.” said Voices for a Safer Tennessee executive director Claudia Huskey. “On an otherwise somber day of remembrance and grief, this clear demonstration of unity provides hope and healing to our community.”

While families, neighbors, and friends linked arms, a program of inspirational messages and beautiful music was held at Centennial Park. Uplifting songs were shared by Ketch Secor, co-founder and lead singer for the band Old Crow Medicine Show with Americana artist Molly Tuttle, 17-year-old guitar virtuoso Grace Bowers with Judge Sheila Calloway, and Contemporary Christian Music artist Blessing Offor. Faith leaders who offered reflections and prayers included Father Mark Beckman from Saint Henry Catholic Church, Dr. Donovan McAbee from Belmont University, Reverend Cody Balfour from Koinonia Church, Rashed Fakhruddin from Islamic Center of Nashville, and Rabbi Shanna Mackler from The Temple Nashville.  

“The support for this event in Nashville, and satellite gatherings in Middle, East, and West Tennessee, gives us confidence in what we can accomplish if we work together as Tennesseans,” said Todd Cruse, board chair of Voices for a Safer Tennessee. “Now we need everyone to stay involved in the democratic process. Contact your legislators to express support of stronger firearm safety laws, engage your families, neighbors, and friends in conversation about this public health crisis, and vote. We know progress will take time and the small wins we are already seeing will add up to impactful change.”

For more information about Voices for a Safer Tennessee and to watch the recorded livestream of the program, visit safertn.org.  

Photos from the event are available at this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1t6g8ePjob9T-yYW0M13Ogy67AT77JNR5?usp=sharing

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.  

Media Contacts:  
Michelle Augusty, Voices for a Safer Tennessee, (850) 933-7202‬, michelle.augusty@gmail.com 
Kelly Brockman, McNeely Brockman PR, (615) 812-6513, kelly@mcneelybrockmanpr.com   
Mark Drury, Calvert Street Group, (615) 330-7587, mdrury@calvertstreet.com