Nicole Smith

This Labor Day, take time to recharge after an emotional week.

Dear friends, 

I often make the analogy that advocacy is like a marathon. It requires preparation and training, a steady pace, a passionate spirit and a commitment to being in it for the long haul. It comes with challenges to be overcome and requires a healthy dose of self-care. Like a marathon, the rewards that come with crossing the finish line make the journey more than worth it. 

This special session marked an emotional first leg of the marathon. As the week comes to a close and we approach the Labor Day holiday, we encourage each of you to take some time to rest, relax and recharge. We have much more work to do to reach the finish line, and it will require all of us to take care of ourselves and each other in the process. 

As you recharge, please know of our continued appreciation for each and every one of you. THANK YOU! The willingness of so many of our coalition members across the state to step up and use their voices in support of firearm safety is not only deeply appreciated, but also invaluable to our efforts. 

Here’s a quick snapshot of what we achieved together over the past two weeks: 

• Members of our coalition that is more than 20,000 strong and representative of all 95 counties contacted state lawmakers asking them to take action on firearm safety.
• Nearly 400 volunteers from 20 counties showed up at the Capitol and Cordell Hull, serving as a physical reminder that the majority of Tennesseans want and expect change. 
• We successfully met (and exceeded) matching challenge gifts from Sen. Bill and Tracy Frist and Barbara Hyde to raise more than $300,000 from over 700 people in just 10 days. 
• We advocated for the passage of three bills that served as small, first steps toward increased firearm safety and set the stage for deeper conversations leading into the 2024 legislative session this January. 

The effort to create a safer Tennessee will continue to take all of us. We are so inspired to be running this “marathon” alongside each of you. 

Happy Labor Day, and thank you for being a strong voice for a Safer TN. 

Sincerely, 

Nicole Smith

Voices for a Safer Tennessee, Board President

P.S. We’d love to hear directly from you about the ways you used your voice and took action during the special session. Please share your stories and photos here.

Nonpartisan coalition expands its leadership as it continues to work toward advancing firearm safety policy in Tennessee during the special session and beyond

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 17, 2023) — Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN), a nonpartisan organization dedicated to prioritizing firearm safety and promoting responsible firearm ownership through bipartisan legislation, has added two new directors to its governing board: Lisa Rottmann of Knoxville and Dori Thornton Waller of Chattanooga. In addition, the organization announced the creation of an advisory board of prominent Tennessee leaders.

New Board of Director Members

Lisa Rottmann, a Knoxville native, is president and chief executive officer of Stowers Machinery Corporation, where she has served in leadership roles for more than 11 years. She is a seasoned marketing, human capital and business strategist, and an active member of her local community.

Before starting her Tennessee-based business, The Social Office, Dori Thornton Waller lived in Washington, D.C. and served in the White House for President George W. Bush as the youngest deputy social secretary in recent history. Waller now resides in Chattanooga and leads a team of highly successful signature event planners with a statewide and national presence.

“Lisa and Dori bring valuable expertise and perspective to our already diverse and experienced board,” said Todd Cruse, chairman and treasurer for the Safer TN board of directors. “As we continue to build our board leadership, we have been intentional about aligning the political representation of the board with that of the state and ensuring broad geographic reach across Tennessee. We are proud to have Lisa and Dori serving in these important roles to help improve the safety of our great state.” 

Advisory Board

To help further guide and support the organization’s efforts, Safer TN has convened an advisory board of prominent Tennessee leaders who have raised their hands in support of stronger firearm safety policies. This group represents influential leadership within the government, healthcare, business, faith, education, music and philanthropy sectors and includes:

1. Dr. Michael Burcham, Executive Partner, Shore Capital Partners
2. Bill Carpenter, Healthcare Executive and Chairman of the Board for FirstBank
3. Senator Bill Frist, M.D., Former United States Senate Majority Leader
4. Vince Gill, musician and singer/songwriter
5. Amy Grant, Christian and pop recording artist, and philanthropist
6. Milton Johnson, Former CEO, HCA Healthcare
7. Teresa Sloyan, President, Hyde Family Foundation
8. Dr. Clay Stauffer, Senior Minister, Woodmont Christian Church (Advisory board chair)
9. Dwayne Tucker, CEO, Lead Public Schools
10. Jamie Woodson, Founder and Principal, TriStar Strategies and former State Senator

“Firearm safety is not a partisan issue, it is a public safety issue, and we must set politics aside to address the devastating impact firearm violence is having across our state, particularly amongst our children,” said Senator Bill Frist, M.D. “I have been following Voices for a Safer Tennessee since the organization’s formation, and I believe that the nonpartisan coalition they have built is a strong platform to break through the political noise, raise awareness about the troubling data, and encourage collaborative solutions that ultimately improve the safety of citizens in our great state. I am eager to work with Safer TN as a member of the Advisory Board, among an exceptional group of Tennessee leaders.”

Dr. Clay Stauffer will serve as chairman of the advisory board. The group will engage in advocacy, education and fundraising alongside the coalition and its leadership in an effort to achieve the organization’s policy goals of:

1. Temporary transfer laws that would allow authorities to temporarily restrict access to firearms from people who pose a risk to themselves or others
2. Stronger firearm storage laws that require firearm owners to provide secure storage and report lost or stolen weapons
3. Consistent background check requirements across more firearm transactions to help keep firearms away from dangerous people who are not legally allowed to own them

Safer TN’s board and advisory board announcements follow the proclamation by Governor Bill Lee calling a special session on public safety to begin August 21. Expansion of these important leadership bodies poises the organization for continued effectiveness during the special session, into the 2024 session and beyond. Today, the Safer TN coalition includes more than 20,000 supporters representing all political viewpoints and nearly all 95 counties in Tennessee. 

Safer TN encourages all Tennesseans who believe that we can find common ground around firearm safety and protect our communities to get involved by joining the coalition, donating, and following Safer TN on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for regular updates and calls to action.

About Voices for a Safer Tennessee

Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition dedicated to prioritizing common-sense firearm safety laws and promoting responsible firearm ownership to make communities across our state safer. Safer TN was founded by neighbors, friends, colleagues and community members who came together with a shared desire for change following the tragic events of March 27, 2023, at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tenn. The organization brings voters and lawmakers together by leading conversations, sharing diverse perspectives and finding commonality to champion the bipartisan change that the majority of Tennessee voters support. Learn more at safertn.org.

Warning: Content might not be suitable for all audiences, especially children, viewer discretion is strongly advised.

Ad campaign to feature multiple videos that highlight firearm safety policies and call Tennessee voters to reach out to their legislators and express their support

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 3, 2023) — Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN), a nonpartisan organization dedicated to prioritizing firearm safety and promoting responsible firearm ownership through bipartisan legislation, today launched a statewide public education campaign ahead of the August 21 special legislative session planned by Governor Bill Lee. The first campaign ad, entitled “What’s More Important?,” features Katy Dieckhaus, mother of Evelyn Diekhaus (9), one of six victims killed on March 27, 2023 at The Covenant School. The campaign launches the week of what would have been Evelyn’s 10th birthday.

The first video honors Evelyn’s deep faith and love for learning and raises awareness of the fact that a deeply troubled individual was easily able to access multiple firearms, which ultimately killed three children and three adults, including Evelyn. Tennessee’s current laws do little to nothing to prevent individuals who are a danger to themselves or others from accessing firearms, though recent polls show the majority of Tennesseans support legislation that would address this. 

The policies Safer TN is advocating for during this session include:

1. Temporary transfer laws that would allow authorities, following due process, to temporarily restrict access to firearms from people who pose a risk to themselves or others
2. Stronger firearm storage laws that require firearm owners to provide secure storage and report lost or stolen weapons
3. Consistent background check requirements across more firearm transactions to help keep firearms away from dangerous people who are not legally allowed to own them

“The time is now. Our children have the right to go to school and live without fear of being shot. Our citizens have the right to feel safer in our communities than they do today. We can make change and preserve these rights, while also preserving the values and rights of responsible firearm ownership,” said Todd Cruse, chairman and treasurer of Safer TN. “As an avid sportsman, gun owner, father and proud Tennessean, I urge you to watch these videos and use your voice to help make change.”

In addition to launching this educational campaign, Safer TN has made exceptional progress building a statewide coalition of Tennessee voters who share a common desire for stronger firearm safety measures. The coalition currently includes voters representing nearly all 95 counties in Tennessee. Supporters are engaging in activities ranging from contacting their local representatives to hosting community forums, such as last week’s “Faith, Firearms and Community Safety in Middle Tennessee” event in Maury County. Safer TN also continues to see an influx of support from donors across the state who are committed to making Tennessee a safer place for us all. These donations allow for the development and sharing of helpful resources like those featured in this campaign.

Safer TN encourages all Tennesseans who believe that we can find common ground and protect our communities to get involved by joining the coalition, donating, and following Safer TN on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for regular updates and calls to action.

About Voices for a Safer Tennessee

Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition dedicated to prioritizing common-sense firearm safety laws and promoting responsible firearm ownership to make communities across our state safer. Safer TN was founded by neighbors, friends, colleagues and community members who came together with a shared desire for change following the tragic events of March 27, 2023, at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tenn. The organization brings voters and lawmakers together by leading conversations, sharing diverse perspectives and finding commonality to champion the bipartisan change that the majority of Tennessee voters support. Learn more at safertn.org.

Human Chain of Supporters of Common-Sense Gun Laws Scheduled for April 18

Friday, April 14, 2023

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Voices for a Safer Tennessee, a newly-formed nonpartisan coalition dedicated to prioritizing gun safety, is hosting “Linking Arms for Change” next Tuesday, April 18 at 5:15 p.m. CST.

Supporters will form a three-mile human chain expressing solidarity among the chorus of voices advocating for safer communities across the state through the adoption of common-sense gun safety policies.

“Linking Arms for Change is an opportunity for Tennesseans on both sides of the political aisle to come together to honor the lives lost and impacted by The Covenant School Shooting, as well as all lives lost to gun violence in our state,” said Carlie Cruse, a founding member of Voices for a Safer Tennessee. “This is not a political issue. It’s a public safety issue. By coming together as one, unified voice, we can channel our sorrow into action and advocacy for stronger gun safety measures.”

Approximately 5,000 people will be needed to complete the chain. Supporters are invited to register atwww.safertn.org/event. Once registered, supporters will receive a link with parking instructions and where to stand. All supporters are asked to wear red to honor the victims of The Covenant School.

WHO: Hosted by Voices for a Safer Tennessee coalition, all supporters of common sense, meaningful gun safety measures are invited to join.
WHAT: “Linking Arms for Change” – A nearly three-mile human chain through downtown Nashville expressing solidarity among supporters of common-sense gun laws.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 18, 5:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. CST
Attendees are asked to arrive by 5 p.m.
WHERE: The human chain will begin at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and extend to the Tennessee State Capitol.

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More about Voices for a Safer Tennessee

We are a nonpartisan coalition dedicated to prioritizing gun safety and advocating for common sense gun laws to make communities across our state safer.

We are neighbors, friends, colleagues, and community members who came together following the tragic events of March 27, 2023, at the Covenant School in Nashville, TN to launch a nonpartisan, statewide coalition to build a safer future for Tennesseans.

Together, we are leading conversations, sharing diverse perspectives, and finding commonality to champion change that advances reform agreed upon by people across the aisle.

With more than 800 members, we are engaging people from a variety of beliefs, backgrounds, and regions.

What we hope to accomplish: During the 2023 legislative session, Voices for a Safer Tennessee is advocating forextreme risk laws that would allow authorities to temporarily remove guns from people who pose a risk to themselves or others, stronger gun storage laws that would require gun owners to provide safe storage and report lost or stolen guns, and closing background check loopholes to keep guns away from dangerous people by closing the background check loophole. Learn more at www.safertn.org.

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