Jon Blankenship

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Headlines this week highlighted Tennessee’s record-high firearm deaths in 2023. But preliminary 2024 data shows real improvement—a hopeful sign in an otherwise sobering trend. Every firearm death is tragic and preventable, which is why Safer TN is committed to bringing facts, sharing ways to prevent firearm tragedies at home, and advancing state-specific solutions across our state. That’s what we’re Tracking—and more—this week.

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1-What We’re Tracking: Tracking Tennessee’s firearm deaths

Recent CDC data shows that Tennessee reached a record high number of firearm deaths in 2023, surpassing even post-pandemic levels. The data indicates that 1,587 Tennesseans lost their lives to firearm violence that year, ranking the state seventh nationally for firearm death rate. The alarming figures were picked up by multiple news outlets, and Safer TN confirmed the same findings.

Data released by the Tennessee Department of Health also shows that firearm deaths were highest among 18–24-year-olds that year, who also had the highest firearm homicide rate. Meanwhile, the highest firearm suicide rate was among those 75 and older.

A silver lining in these tragic numbers is that preliminary CDC data shows firearm deaths in Tennessee decreased in 2024, with a total of 1,448 deaths. Every firearm death is tragic and preventable, but this decrease is an encouraging sign, even as we acknowledge that there is still a long way to go to ensure all Tennesseans are safe from firearm violence.

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2-What We’re Tracking: Come for Safer TN, stay for a safer state

Safer TN is grateful for every opportunity to connect with new communities, share our mission, and grow this movement for safety. You have multiple upcoming opportunities to support Safer TN with your presence and participation:

• Oct. 22 – Veronica Beard Gives Back
  Veronica Beard will host a Safer TN Shopping Day — 15% of all proceeds benefit Safer TN. Plus, enjoy a trunk show from The Mahjong Line, featuring their beautiful tiles and game sets. RSVP to let us know you’re coming!
• Oct. 25 — Pumpkinfest
  Middle Tennessee’s largest fall festival returns for its 40th year! Safer TN will host a table at this beloved tradition, featuring family fun and lifesaving information.
• Oct. 29 – Jonesborough Kiwanis Club
  Safer TN Advocacy Board Member Lisa Rottmann will speak to members about firearm safety. (If you’d like us to present to your group, please reply to this email!)
• Nov. 3 – Addressing a Public Health Crisis: The Impact of Firearms
  Join Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Dr. Paige Smith of Vanderbilt, and other panelists for a community conversation at Franklin First United Methodist Church. Free and open to the public but space is limited. [RSVP here.]
• Nov. 8 – Tangled Tinsel Holiday Market
  Safer TN will host a table at this festive, family-friendly event filled with holiday cheer in Collegedale, TN.
• Nov. 9 – Fall Family Fun Fest at Fat Bottom Brewing
  Join us for an afternoon of community connection, conversation, and fun. [Buy your tickets now!]
• Nov. 12 – Community Conversation with Jon Meacham
  Held at Woodmont Hills Christian Church, the Pulitzer Prize–winning author will discuss the rise in political violence and how faith communities can help bridge divides. Free, but space is limited. [RSVP now!] Childcare is provided.

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3-What We’re Tracking: World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day was on October 10, and Safer TN recognizes how mental health, access to care, and human connection all play a role in preventing tragedy and promoting community safety.

Firearm suicide is the leading cause of gun deaths in the United States, accounting for more than half of all firearm fatalities. When a person in crisis has easy access to a gun, their risk of suicide increases dramatically.

That’s why secure firearm storage is one of the most effective ways to save lives. Creating time and distance between a person in crisis and access to a firearm allows critical moments for intervention and help.

At Safer TN, we recognize that our nation faces both a mental health and mental healthcare crisis — and that those in distress can too easily access a firearm. We remain committed to advancing solutions that address both challenges through awareness, education, and policies that prioritize the safety and well-being of every Tennessean.

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4-What We’re Tracking: One year since Alyssa Lokits

Just over one year ago, 34-year-old Alyssa Lokits was walking on the Mill Creek Greenway in Antioch in broad daylight when a man — unknown to her — stepped out from between two parked vehicles and began following her. Alyssa was shot and killed while she was exercising.

Last Sunday, Alyssa’s family returned to the site of her death to dedicate a memorial bench in her honor. Safer TN was there with a table and participated in the walk.

As Safer TN’s Erin Rogus said last year: everyone should feel safe while exercising outdoors. Alyssa’s family and friends founded Free to Move, an initiative helping women access resources to move freely in the world without fear.

Thank you to the Lokits family and Free to Move for including us in this meaningful tribute.

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In this edition of The Tracker, we explore the latest on the Evergreen High School shooting survivors, who remain hospitalized one week after the event. We also outline how our organization is expanding to advance our mission, provide updates on contested firearm legislation, and share new data on pediatric firearm deaths. Plus, you’ll find some good news at the bottom of the newsletter—a reminder that policy works, as the final story illustrates. This is what we’re tracking right now…

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1-What We’re Tracking: Evergreen mass shooting survivors clinging to life

It’s been just over a week since a student at Evergreen High School, located about 30 miles west of Denver, opened fire. Two students were shot before the teen turned the firearm on himself. One of the victims, who was adopted as a baby and survived earlier abuse, had grown into a remarkable teenager and acted heroically during the shooting. He remains in critical condition and, if he survives, will face a long road to recovery. The other unnamed shooting victim remains in serious condition at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

At the same time that day, Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on a college campus in Utah.

A local news commentator in Minnesota recently highlighted testimony from doctors who treated children who were shot at Annunciation Catholic School in August, as they spoke to a state senate committee to share their experiences from that day.

Safer TN condemns all firearm violence, including incidents on school grounds and college campuses, where students are meant to feel safe, learn, and grow.

After these recent tragedies, Safer TN is more determined than ever to do our work.

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2-What We’re Tracking: One mission, two arms

Voices for a Safer Tennessee was founded by concerned parents who, after The Covenant School tragedy, recognized the urgent need to prevent firearm deaths in our state. What began as a small but dedicated group quickly grew into a professional, statewide movement.
Now, we’re expanding into two complementary arms to advance our advocacy mission to create safer communities: one focused on education and outreach, the other on policy and election engagement.

Voices for a Safer Tennessee’s 501(c)(3) focuses on education, outreach, and community programs to help Tennesseans learn about firearm safety and prevention. Our 501(c)(4) arm engages directly in policy and election engagement to advance laws that keep communities safe while respecting the Second Amendment.

Although each has a separate governing board, the two arms work closely together, giving us two powerful ways to create safer communities. We’re excited about Safer TN’s future and are grateful to have you with us. Leadership for each can be found here and here.

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3-What We’re Tracking: Tennessee gun laws will be appealed

Last month, a three-judge panel in Gibson County Chancery Court panel ruled two Tennessee laws unconstitutional. One requires a permit to carry a firearm in public parks; the other prohibits carrying a firearm “with intent to go armed.”

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said he plans to appeal, calling the decision “too far.” Gov. Bill Lee supports the appeal, citing the need for clarity around the state’s laws. “We understand that the Second Amendment — and protecting it — is incredibly important in this state,” Lee told Nashville’s ABC affiliate. “[The ruling] calls a lot of laws in Tennessee unconstitutional that we know are not.”

While the appeal proceeds, the laws are unenforceable unless the court grants the state’s emergency motion to allow enforcement during the appeal. Safer TN is tracking these developments and will continue to share updates.

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4-What We’re Tracking: Understanding Pediatric Firearm Deaths in Tennessee

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Tennessee recently reviewed violent-death cases of children from 2020 to 2023. The findings highlight the urgent need for firearm safety: nearly half (44.1%) of unintentional firearm deaths in the state involved children. Among these, victims were split almost evenly between ages 2–5 and 12–17. Most deaths involved handguns. In about one-third of incidents, the shooter thought the gun was unloaded; in another third, the shooter believed it was a toy.

These numbers underscore that firearm safety at home and around children is critical. Safer TN is committed to educating families to help prevent these tragedies. Learn more about secure firearm storage and how to talk with other parents and your children about guns here.

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5-What We’re Tracking: A law we advocated for sees positive results

One year after Jillian’s Law passed the state legislature, it continues to strengthen public safety in Tennessee. The 2024 law, in part, requires that defendants found mentally incompetent to stand trial must receive treatment rather than be released, closing a dangerous gap that contributed to Jillian’s tragic death.

The state has expanded its mental health capacity to meet the law’s requirements: nearly three dozen new beds are now staffed across Middle Tennessee. More than 150 people have been admitted for treatment since the law took effect, supported by over $6 million in new state funding.

The law also restricts firearm access for those deemed incompetent to
stand trial. Safer TN is proud to have helped advocate for this life saving legislation and will continue to monitor its impact.