Jon Blankenship

We hope you enjoyed the holidays and had time to rest and reset. The Safer TN team took a much-needed pause before hitting the ground running in the new year. Our first order of business is hearing from you! Please take our one-minute communications survey to help us deliver updates, news, and other information the way you want. As a thank-you, we’ll send you an optional free bumper sticker. Now – here’s what we’re tracking.

1-2025 Tennessee Child Fatality Report

The newly released 2025 Tennessee Child Fatality Report (reviewing 2023 data) presents a sobering reality. Tennessee’s child fatality rate is 39.1% higher than the national average, the largest gap our state has seen in five years. Even more heartbreaking is that local review teams deemed nearly 60% of these deaths as probably preventable. That figure is even higher when it comes to firearm-related deaths, of which 92.6% were considered preventable.

Key findings from the report:

• Firearms are the leading threat: According to the report, firearms remain the top non-medical cause of death for Tennessee children. Our state’s firearm-related death rate is 64.9% higher than the national average.
• Surge in homicides: Since 2019, the child homicide rate in Tennessee has skyrocketed by 91.7%. Shockingly, 89% of these homicides involved a firearm.
• Deepening disparities: The death rate for Black children in Tennessee is now more than double the rate for white children.

In response to these rising trends, the State Child Fatality Review Team has issued formal recommendations to guide prevention efforts. Notably, the State explicitly recommends that organizations and communities “actively promote and encourage participation in firearm safety initiatives like Voices for a Safer Tennessee.” 

As an official partner in the state’s strategy to reduce intentional violence, we are more committed than ever to our mission.

2-What We’re Tracking: Legislative Session Starts Soon, What To Expect

Tennessee’s 114th General Assembly convenes on January 12 at noon. Most of the bills we monitor won’t be heard until later in the session, so until then, we’ll keep sending The Tracker every other week. Once the General Assembly begins to take up firearm-related legislation, we’ll send The Tracker weekly, and we’ll also send special legislative update editions as important information develops. For real-time updates, follow our Instagram and Facebook stories.

3-What We’re Tracking: New Safer TN Interns and Staff

Cannon Jones, Kate Correnti, Alexis Cuban, Dabney Reed

Over the holiday break, we officially welcomed Safer TN’s first Director of Advancement and three new spring semester interns from Vanderbilt University. Together, they will help grow our impact, influence, and infrastructure across Tennessee.

Cannon Jones, Director of Advancement

As a Sandy Hook Elementary alumna, firearm safety is deeply personal to Cannon Jones and central to her work. With over a decade of nonprofit leadership experience, including leading a $25-million capital campaign, Cannon brings a strategic, relationship-driven approach to advancing Safer TN’s mission. She holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of Vermont. With strong Tennessee family roots, she is proud to now call Nashville home.

Kate Correnti

Kate is studying Political Science and Human and Organizational Development. Originally from Nashville, she is excited to apply her academic interests to make a positive impact in her home community.

Alexis Cuban

Alexis is majoring in Human and Organizational Development with a minor in Business. Originally from Dallas, she has a strong interest in understanding how communities can reduce harm while navigating deeply rooted gun cultures. Her perspective is shaped by the loss of a family member and a friend to firearm tragedies, which informs her commitment to her work.

Dabney Reed

Dabney is studying Human and Organizational Development with a minor in Political Science. She is passionate about Voices for a Safer Tennessee’s mission and eager to contribute meaningfully to Nashville and the wider Tennessee community during her final year at Vanderbilt.

4-What We’re Tracking: Firearm Tragedies Over the Holidays

A personal perspective from Alexis Cuban, Safer TN intern

Firearm violence does not pause for holidays or milestones. This became devastatingly clear over the break.

A two-year-old was treated at Erlanger Children’s Hospital in Chattanooga after shooting himself with his father’s handgun. An 11-year-old girl in Knoxville also gained access to a firearm and unintentionally shot herself. She did not survive. In rural Middle Tennessee, a woman and three family members, including two children, were found dead in a firearm murder-suicide. 

Another victim was my friend Abubacarr “Buba” Darboe, who was killed while visiting his family during winter break. He was 22 years old and one semester away from graduating from Vanderbilt University.

His absence is felt by those who knew him in many different ways. I notice it in rooms where we once shared meals, and in the memory of him showing up at my door on my birthday with blue balloons. His fraternity brother described to me how Buba consistently made sure people felt included and taken care of, a reflection of his genuine and natural empathy.

Firearm tragedies are often framed with a defined radius of harm. In reality, each one sends ripples outward, reshaping families, campuses, and communities in lasting ways. Buba’s life and loss are a reminder that preventing firearm tragedies is about protecting futures and the everyday moments that bind people together.

5-What We’re Tracking: Erlanger Cable Lock Rollout, By Emily Holden, Southeast Tennessee Coalition Coordinator

Hi everyone! Emily Holden here, writing from Chattanooga.

I want to let you know Safer TN has partnered with Erlanger Children’s Hospital to begin distributing free firearm cable locks to the families of every newborn delivered at the Erlanger Baroness and Erlanger East hospital locations. In addition to the cable locks, free firearm safety materials will be distributed to include Tennessee-specific firearm statistics related to children with a clear firearm safety checklist.

Dr. Dave Bhattacharya, a pediatric surgeon at Erlanger and Safer TN board member, recently discussed the initiative in a local TV interview.

Launching in February 2026, this program will capitalize on the Chattanooga Early Learning Center’s backpack program, which creates a comprehensive, life-saving resource for families from day one.

Thank you for subscribing to and reading our newsletter in 2025. Our open rates for The Tracker continue to exceed the nonprofit average, and we’re grateful for your engagement and trust. As we look ahead, we want to make sure we’re delivering information that’s most useful to you. In the new year, keep an eye out for a short survey about The Tracker and the firearm safety information we share – we’d love your feedback. Until then, we wish you a safe, restful holiday season and a happy New Year. As we head into 2026, here’s a look at what we’re tracking, and what we’ve accomplished this year.

1-What We’re Tracking: Year in Review

WATCH: Safer TN’s Year in Review video from Giving Tuessday

2025 was an extraordinary year for our work. Together, we celebrated legislative progress, launched statewide billboard and radio campaigns focused on secure firearm storage, and expanded into two distinct organizational arms to strengthen our mission. We also grew by thousands of members and have raised millions of dollars since our founding – a testament to how deeply Tennesseans care about this work and its staying power.

You’ll be able to dive deeper into these milestones when our annual report is released in January. We also have exciting initiatives planned for 2026 that continue our focus on building safer communities, one step at a time. In the meantime, we invite you to watch our Year in Review video, which we made for Giving Tuesday, along with additional videos on our YouTube page that highlight our impact.

2-What We’re Tracking: Secure Firearm Storage During School Breaks 

As we head into a season when kids are out of school, routines shift, parents are often juggling more, and families spend more time visiting friends and relatives, the risk of accidental shootings rises. Research consistently shows that many unintentional firearm injuries involving children happen in familiar places – most often in homes – when a gun is unsecured and a moment of distraction is enough for tragedy to occur.

The good news is that these incidents are highly preventable. Secure firearm storage – keeping firearms locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition – significantly reduces the risk of accidental injury, suicide, and theft. Just as important is having clear, respectful conversations with family members, caregivers, and other parents about whether firearms are present in the home and how they’re stored. Asking these questions can feel uncomfortable, but it’s a critical step in keeping kids safe.

Safer TN offers practical tools to help. On our website, you’ll find guidance on secure storage best practices, tips for starting storage conversations with other adults, and information on how to access free cable locks. Learn more and get the resources you need to protect your family and your community here.

3-What We’re Tracking: Why Treating Firearm Violence as a Public Health Issue Could Lead to Solutions

WATCH: Safer TN healthcare leaders on firearm injuries as a public health crisis.

In a recent Yale News interview, Dr. Megan Ranney, dean of the Yale School of Public Health, makes the case for treating firearm injury as a public health issue rather than a purely political or criminal justice one. Drawing from her experience as an emergency physician, Ranney explains how preventable firearm injuries mirror other public health crises like car crashes or opioid overdoses.

A public health framework focuses on measuring the scope of the problem, identifying risk and protective factors, testing interventions, and scaling what works. This approach expands solutions beyond legislation alone to include secure storage, mental health supports, and community-based strategies. By centering health, data, and community collaboration, Ranney argues, we can reduce firearm injuries while finding common ground across political and cultural divides.

In case you missed it, two Safer TN healthcare leaders recently had a conversation about why firearm injuries are a public safety issue, and why our work is more important than ever.

4-What We’re Tracking: New Resource Helps Doctors Talk About Firearm Safety

The American Medical Association (AMA) has teamed up with the Ad Council and other health leaders to launch a new hub that gives physicians tools to counsel patients on firearm safety. The hub includes videos, fact sheets, conversation guides, and other resources to help doctors discuss the risks of unsecured firearms and best practices for reducing injuries and deaths.

The initiative is part of the AMA’s public health approach to firearm injury, recognizing that firearms are a leading cause of death for children in the U.S. Research shows that patients are more likely to adopt secure storage practices when their physicians bring up firearm safety — yet most adults (86%) report never having such a conversation. By equipping health professionals with evidence-based tools, the AMA hopes to normalize these lifesaving discussions as part of routine care, just like car seat or pool safety counseling.

5-What We’re Tracking: Tennessee’s Updated Violent Death Reporting System

The Tennessee Department of Health announced last week that it has updated its Violent Death Reporting System (TNVDRS) website with 2023 data.

December 2 is Giving Tuesday, and Safer TN is working to reach 500 donors in one day to support our education, advocacy, and outreach efforts across Tennessee. The first 100 donors will receive a Safer TN-branded AirTag keychain, and donors who give $500 or more will also receive a Safer TN YETI tumbler. Click here to donate early. 

In this Tracker, you’ll find what your donations make possible, including our new firearm safety resource page, an update on a road rage incident that turned violent, and more.

1-What We’re Tracking: One Example of What Your Donation Makes Possible

After losing her daughter, Evelyn, in The Covenant School shooting in 2023, Katy Dieckhaus found solace and purpose in Safer TN’s mission. She started as a volunteer, became a board member, and is now stepping into a new chapter of impact.

Katy has resigned from our Board of Directors and officially joined our staff as Community Engagement Coordinator. She will represent Safer TN at community events, support and grow our volunteer network, and help connect communities across Tennessee to our work. Katy’s journey is a powerful reminder of how love and loss can drive meaningful change.

Another staff change comes as Erin Rogus steps back from her role as Policy Director to serve as a Middle Tennessee Board Member. Erin has been instrumental in advancing our work at the Capitol over the past two years, but balancing her work with Safer TN, her full-time position with Advisory Board Member Sen. Bill Frist, and caring for three young children proved challenging. We’re grateful she will continue contributing in a volunteer capacity.

Safer TN is also continuing to expand our team, thanks to the generous support of Tennesseans committed to safer communities. We are seeking a Director of Advancement and a West Tennessee Coalition Coordinator. Know someone who might be a great fit? Share these opportunities and encourage them to apply!

2-What We’re Tracking: Road Rage Involving Firearms Persists in Our State

A Middle Tennessee driver was shot at on Interstate 24 in Rutherford County just two weeks ago. The suspect remains at large, and anyone with information or dash-cam footage is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office.

FOX17 reports that since last year, Rutherford County has seen 2,713 aggressive driving or road rage incidents. Any of these encounters can turn deadly when firearms are involved.

The shooting has renewed concern among local families, including Katy Dieckhaus. Two years before losing her daughter in The Covenant School shooting, Katy emailed state representatives after a road rage incident that a witness compared to the “Wild West.” She has shared excerpts below.

“After reading about the road rage shooting on Highway 24 and a witness comparing it to the ‘Wild West’, I have to write this tonight.

[Road rage shootings have] been in our news too frequently in the past few months. I want to continue to raise my sweet girls in this state. People are stressed, depressed, and angry about many things now more than ever. 

I do not know if you all have children, but do you really want to teach them to fight towards others this way? This is where we are heading and it breaks my heart. Please truly think about the safety of all.”

Katy Dieckhaus

Community Engagement Coordinator

3-What We’re Tracking: Secure Storage Saves Lives During Hunting Season

Deer hunting season opened on November 22, and as many families across Tennessee enjoy this tradition, it’s an important time to talk about secure firearm storage. Research shows that access to unsecured firearms increases the risk of injury and suicide among children and teens.

Tennessee ranks third in the nation for unintentional shootings by children, and a state report released earlier this year shows that firearm suicides have surged among youth.

Safer TN has a new resource page dedicated to firearm safety, including how to have conversations with your children and other adults, how to securely store your firearm, and other safety resources that can help reduce the risk of accidents, unauthorized access, and tragedy.

4-What We’re Tracking: Update: DOJ Weighs In on Supreme Court Firearm Case

The Department of Justice has asked the Supreme Court to strike down a Hawaii law that bans firearms on private property open to the public without the owner’s permission (Wolford v. Lopez). 

The DOJ brief argues that the law unlawfully blocks people with concealed-carry permits from carrying firearms onto most private property of this kind.

A decision in this case could reshape laws beyond Hawaii. Tennessee, however, already leaves the decision to property owners, and past efforts to limit their authority have failed, so this ruling is unlikely to change state law.

5-What We’re Tracking: Justice System Gap Leaves Domestic Violence Victims Vulnerable

A new investigation by ProPublica and WPLN reveals a potentially deadly flaw in Tennessee’s probation system that puts domestic violence victims at risk. The reporting centers on the killing of a young mother who repeatedly begged for help while her ex-boyfriend, who was legally barred from having a firearm and under probation supervision, remained free.

The investigation found that when a probation violation warrant is issued in Tennessee, in-person supervision stops until the person is arrested, creating a dangerous gap that can last for months. At least six mothers were killed during this lapse in oversight. More broadly, reporters found that about one in four domestic violence homicide victims in Tennessee’s largest cities were killed by someone who was legally prohibited from having a firearm.

The past two weeks have brought conflicting news. We’ve pointed to data showing firearm deaths declined in 2024 and are trending down in 2025. Yet Tennessee continues to see an outsized number of shootings compared to the national average, and smaller, more rural communities are not immune. A recent workplace shooting in Cleveland, Tennessee, underscores a critical truth: most mass shootings occur on the job.

1-What We’re Tracking:  Shooting in a plastics plant leaves two dead

Two men were shot and killed Monday at a plastics plant in Cleveland, Tennessee, about an hour outside Chattanooga. Police say the shooter — an employee who was being terminated — killed a fellow employee and the vice president of Barku Plastics. The gunman was later found dead in a Bradley County residence from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Both victims were fathers simply doing their jobs. Tragically, their stories are not uncommon. 

Although the Cleveland shooting doesn’t meet The Violence Prevention Project’s definition of a mass shooting — four or more people shot and killed without underlying criminal activity — it reflects a similar dynamic. The group’s research finds that most mass shootings in the U.S. happen in workplaces, frequently linked to employment issues.

Their data show these incidents occur almost equally across rural and suburban areas compared to urban settings. It also suggests that there are often warning signs beforehand, with many perpetrators experiencing a crisis leading up to the violence.

This is why Safer TN supports establishing a temporary firearm transfer process — with a court procedure and due process safeguards — to reduce firearm access for individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others. Tennessee already has a similar law: individuals under an order of protection must temporarily transfer their firearms for the duration of the order. This life-saving measure could be expanded to include those in crisis to help prevent harm before it happens.

2-What We’re Tracking: Reminder — upcoming (FREE) events!

Safer TN volunteers have a busy fall and winter ahead. The first event is tonight! Join Safer TN at 6:30 p.m. at Franklin First United Methodist Church for a panel discussion with community leaders on firearm safety, featuring former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D.; Franklin Mayor Dr. Ken Moore; pediatrician Paige Smith, M.D.; and more. Learn more and register here.

3-What We’re Tracking:  What Tennessee can learn from our “reddest county” on firearm safety

Scott County — which earned the moniker “Tennessee’s reddest county” when nearly 90% of voters cast ballots for President Trump in 2024 — has taken an innovative approach to keeping domestic violence victims safe. With a population of about 22,000, this rural county bordering Kentucky overhauled its entire approach to domestic violence cases, bringing together law enforcement, prosecutors, victim advocates, and service providers under one roof through the county’s Family Justice Center. It also launched one of the state’s only courts dedicated solely to domestic violence.

Now, with support from a new grant, the University of Memphis Public Safety Institute is evaluating Scott County’s coordinated community response — a model that brings every stakeholder to the table to promote victim safety and offender accountability — as well as the county’s Family Justice Center, with the goal of identifying best practices and creating a template that can be replicated across Tennessee.

Scott County has also taken a step to close a potentially deadly gap in domestic violence orders. The county revised its firearm dispossession form to require abusers to name the person holding their guns and verify the transfer making it the only county in Tennessee to do so.

4-What We’re Tracking: More data points to a decline in firearm deaths

As we shared in our last newsletter, preliminary CDC data show that firearm deaths declined in 2024, and new reporting from The Trace indicates that gun deaths are continuing to fall in 2025 in both rural and urban areas.

Cities like Memphis and Nashville are seeing encouraging trends. Memphis has recorded fewer firearm deaths this year than in several previous years, and Nashville’s mayor recently announced that September was a homicide-free month. The overall rate of decline in firearm homicides is even greater in 2025 than in 2024, when the decrease broke all previous records.

This progress is heartening and underscores that change is possible. But every firearm death remains a tragedy, and most are preventable. These data remind us that our collective efforts matter and that continued education, secure storage, and evidence-based policy can help sustain and build on this momentum toward a safer Tennessee.