Jon Blankenship

Safer TN Tracker | 9.1.26

Jon Blankenship · September 2, 2026 ·

Fall is here and our events are just around the corner. This month, we are reflecting on how far we have come in 2026, sharing stories from the road, and inviting you to join us at one of our fall events across Tennessee.

Thanks for checking out these exciting updates!

#1 What We’re Tracking: Momentum in 2026

Congrats image from the Gibson County Chamber of Commerce

This summer, our community came together and raised enough to provide 15,000 cable locks free of charge to gun owners across all 95 Tennessee counties. That means 1,250 locks will reach Tennessee gun owners every single month for a full year. 285 donors made it happen, with supporters represented in 17 Tennessee counties, from Davidson and Shelby to Bradley, Cocke, and Sequatchie.

Three years ago, a group of parents came together with a mission and a resolve: to build a coalition and find collaborative solutions to reduce firearm tragedies in Tennessee. Here is where that work stands today.

Our coalition has grown to nearly 40,000 Tennesseans across all 95 counties. This year alone, we have welcomed nearly 6,000 new members through more than 160 community events and civic meetings, powered by roughly 80 volunteers who have given over 200 hours of their time.

Since our founding, we have helped pass more than 10 firearm safety laws, the first in nearly a decade, and stopped four dangerous bills that would have expanded public carry of firearms.

Our data dashboard, developed in partnership with the University of Tennessee’s Boyd Center, is now driving evidence-based conversations about firearm tragedies in every corner of the state. In May, we hosted a webinar with Dr. Matt Harris from the Boyd Center to walk Tennesseans through the data — and the conversation continues to grow. And through 13 healthcare and social service partners, including Erlanger Children’s Hospital in Chattanooga, Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital in Knoxville, and Le Bonheur in Memphis, we have distributed more than 4,800 free cable locks directly into the hands of Tennessee gun owners. At community events across the state, we have distributed nearly 4,500 more, bringing our total to more than 9,300 cable locks in the hands of Tennessee gun owners this year.

None of this happens without you.

Watch the recording

explore the dashboard

#2 What We’re Tracking: Fall Events Across Tennessee

a volunteer paints the face of a young girl at a safer tn event

This fall, Voices for a Safer Tennessee is bringing our Back to School Bash and Fall Family Fun Fest series to four cities across the state. These events are a chance to connect with fellow supporters, meet the team behind the work, and celebrate the momentum we have built together. Bring your family and friends, enjoy great food and activities, and learn more about what Safer TN is doing in your community. Tickets start at $25.

Back to School Bash — Memphis
Sunday, September 13 | 4 to 6 p.m
Grind City Brewing Co.
Register here

Back to School Bash — Chattanooga
Sunday, September 20 | 4 to 6 p.m.
White Duck Taco
Register here

Fall Family Fun Fest — Nashville
Sunday, October 4 | 2 to 4 p.m.
Fat Bottom Brewing Co.
Register here

Fall Family Fun Fest — Knoxville
Sunday, October 18 | 4 to 6 p.m.
Yee-Haw Brewing
Register here

#3 What We’re Tracking: Stories from the Road

At a recent community event, a gentleman shared this:

“I remember going to an estate sale when I was about 9 years old. I bought a gun for less than five dollars and took it home. My dad didn’t take it away though, he taught me how to use it. I still have that gun to this day.”

It is a story that stays with us. A 9-year-old walked out of an estate sale with a firearm. No background check. No questions asked. That was decades ago, but the ease of access has not changed. In Tennessee, one in five gun sales still happens without a background check. The conversations we have at events across the state are about changing that, one community at a time.

If you would like to volunteer at an upcoming event or have us speak to your community group, email our community engagement coordinator, Katy Dieckhaus.

Join us as a volunteer, or just stop by to say hello, at an event near you!

September 1: Cleveland Rotary Club, Cleveland
September 2: Rhea County Health Council, Dayton
September 3: Smokies Baseball Game, Knoxville
September 11–13: Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, Bristol
September 13: Memphis Back to School Bash, Memphis
September 16: Ribbon Cutting at the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce, Madisonville
September 18: Winchester Head Start Family Resource Day, Winchester
September 20: 2nd Annual Chattanooga Back to School Bash, Chattanooga
September 29: Stronger Together Resource Fair, Chattanooga
October 4: Nashville Fall Family Fun Fest, Nashville
October 13: CPD National Night Out, Chattanooga
October 17: October Sky Festival, Rockwood
October 18: Knoxville Fall Family Fun Fest, Knoxville

Safer TN Tracker | 8.11.26

Jon Blankenship · September 2, 2026 ·

Summer is winding down and the state elections are heating up. Last week, 1,068,470 Tennesseans went to the polls to select nominees who will compete in the November 3 general election for Governor, State Senate, and State House seats. View the unofficial election results here. Congratulations to all the candidates who advanced.

In addition to the election, we’re celebrating a milestone for Safe at Home, introducing more of our fantastic interns, welcoming new board members, and sharing fall events across Tennessee.

Thanks for checking out these exciting updates!

#1 What We’re Tracking: Safe at Home Recap

When we hand a cable lock to someone at a community event, a conversation starts. A parent thinks about their own home differently. A firearm gets secured. Every one of those locks represents a family that is safer because of this community.

This is just one example of the work Voices for a Safer Tennessee does to protect Tennessee families from harm. We are grateful you have chosen to be part of this movement.

#2 What We’re Tracking: Meet More of Our Summer Interns

This summer, Voices for a Safer Tennessee welcomed a large class of incredible interns bringing energy and talent to our work. We introduced four of them last month. Here are two more.

Wynn Fuller is a rising junior at Harpeth Hall School in Nashville and a returning Safer TN intern. This is her second summer with the organization, and she is excited to dive deeper into the work. She has always felt compelled to be an active member of her community and to learn more about firearm safety, and her time with Safer TN has helped her become more informed and engaged with those around her.

Erin Jones is a rising junior at Bowdoin College, studying Government and Legal Studies and Art History. Originally from Franklin, Tennessee, she interned at the Tennessee Justice Center in high school, which sparked her interest in nonprofit work with a local focus. She cares deeply about her home state and helping it live up to its potential. She was drawn to Safer TN by its work addressing the impact firearm tragedies have on Tennesseans statewide, and she is pursuing a career in health policy and law.

#3 What We’re Tracking: Welcoming New Board Members

We are pleased to welcome two new members to the Voices for a Safer Tennessee C3 Board of Directors.

Lindsay Conrad has built her career around advancing thoughtful public policy and bringing people together to solve complex challenges. She serves as State Director for Arnold Ventures in Tennessee and as Senior Advisor to In the Black, where she works with policymakers, researchers, and community leaders to develop evidence-based solutions that strengthen government and improve the lives of Tennesseans.

Following the tragic shooting at Covenant, she felt a profound responsibility to become involved in efforts to promote practical firearm education and safety. She joins Safer TN with a commitment to fostering respectful dialogue, building broad coalitions, and advancing practical solutions that help keep Tennessee families and communities safe.

A native of Cleveland, Tennessee, Lindsay completed her undergraduate degree at Maryville College and her master’s degree at Vanderbilt University in economics. She currently lives in Knoxville with her husband, Drew, and their two school-aged sons.

Allyson Horner has spent more than 26 years building a career rooted in leadership, integrity, and service. She currently serves as General Manager of the Gibson County Utility District, where she has earned a reputation for hard work, professionalism, and building trusted relationships within her community.

A lifelong Tennessean, Allyson was born and raised in Trenton, where she grew up on her family’s farm. Her rural upbringing instilled the values of faith, personal responsibility, respect for others, and a strong work ethic that continues to guide her personal and professional life. She was raised with a deep respect for responsible firearm ownership and brings that perspective to Safer TN’s mission of protecting Tennesseans while respecting the Second Amendment. She was introduced to Safer TN through her cousin, Lauren Fortenberry, the West Tennessee Coalition Coordinator, and is committed to advancing practical solutions that reflect the voices and values of Tennessee families.

Allyson continues to call Trenton home, where she treasures time with her three grandsons.

#4 What We’re Tracking: Stories from the Road

An Army veteran shared this with us at a community event.

“My youngest son was maybe 6 or 7 and he had his neighborhood buddy over at the house and they were playing. I was working in my office where I had one of my guns in one of those wooden cases with the glass front. They ran into my office and my son’s friend’s eyes got real big and he said, ‘ooh a gun.’ My son immediately stopped him and said, ‘it’s a real gun, we can’t use it unless my dad is with us.’

I showed my son the same thing I saw in basic training. I took a big gallon of water and had him shoot at it. I told him, “You see all the water gushing out, that’s the same way a body reacts to being shot.”

Conversations like these can help change the trajectory of firearm tragedies in our state. If you’d like to volunteer at an upcoming event or have us speak to your community group, email our community engagement coordinator, Katy Dieckhaus.

Join us as a volunteer, or just stop by to say hello, at an event near you!

August 15: Loudon Riverfest, Loudon
August 24: Lenoir City Rotary, Lenoir City
August 25: Bradley County Health Council, Cleveland
September 1: Cleveland Rotary Club, Cleveland
September 2: Rhea County Health Council, Dayton
September 3: Smokies Baseball Game, Knoxville
September 11–13: Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, Bristol
September 13: Memphis Back to School Bash, Memphis
September 20: 2nd Annual Chattanooga Back to School Bash, Chattanooga
October 4: Nashville Fall Family Fun Fest, Nashville
October 17: October Sky Festival, Rockwood
October 18: Knoxville Fall Family Fun Fest, Knoxville

#5 What We’re Tracking: Fall Events Across Tennessee

This fall, Voices for a Safer Tennessee is heading across the state for our Back to School Bash and Fall Family Fun Fest events. Join us for an afternoon of community, conversation, and connection.

Back to School Bash — Memphis
Sunday, September 13 | 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Grind City Brewing
[Register here]

Back to School Bash — Chattanooga
Sunday, September 20 | 4:00 to 6:00 PM
White Duck Taco
[Register here]

Fall Family Fun Fest — Nashville
Sunday, October 4 | 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Hillwood Country Club
[Register here]

Fall Family Fun Fest — Knoxville
Sunday, October 18 | 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Yee-Haw Brewing
[Register here]

Safer TN Tracker | 7.14.26

Jon Blankenship · July 15, 2026 ·

Summer is in full swing, and so is our team. This month, we’re proud to welcome a new face, introduce our hardworking interns, and share a story from the road that captures why these conversations matter.

#1 What We’re Tracking: Safe at Home

Summer means baseball games, melting popsicles, and making memories with friends. For Tennessee families, it should be a carefree time. But for too many families it isn’t. Firearms are the leading cause of death for kids in Tennessee, and every summer the risk rises. July alone sees nearly 44% more accidental shootings than September.

Voices for a Safer Tennessee gives cable locks to Tennessee gun owners to secure their firearms at no cost. For $25, you can provide five locks. For $50, ten. Every one of those locks could secure a firearm and save a life.

For the past three years, we’ve been putting free cable locks in the hands of firearm owners across all 95 counties at community events, hospital emergency departments, maternity wards, and rural clinics. At Erlanger Children’s Hospital in Chattanooga, distribution has grown by 700% in just three months. Families are asking for them everywhere we go.

This summer, we are raising $75,000 to fund a full year of distribution. The Urban Child Institute and the Elsie Marshall Charitable Fund have already committed $20,000. Now we need our community to raise $55,000 to bring it home.

Help us keep kids Safe at Home.

give now

#2 What We’re Tracking: Meet Our Summer Interns

This summer, Voices for a Safer Tennessee welcomed a large class of interns bringing energy and talent to our communications, policy, and coalition work. We’re introducing four of them today, with more to come in our August edition.

Mimi Bowen, Communications Intern, is a rising sophomore at Washington and Lee University, studying Politics and Business. A Nashville native, she spent two years as marketing chair for her high school’s Dance Marathon chapter and earned her Girl Scout Gold Award by organizing a dress drive for teenage girls who couldn’t afford dresses for school dances. She was drawn to Safer TN’s mission and to the chance to be part of an organization during a formative stage of its growth.

Sydney Gatewood, Policy Intern, is a rising senior at East Tennessee State University, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Public Administration. A Nashville native, she served as a legislative intern at the Tennessee General Assembly earlier this year, researching legislation and observing the policymaking process firsthand. She was drawn to Safer TN’s nonpartisan approach to bringing people together around responsible firearm ownership and meaningful policy solutions.

Kristian Ozane, Coalition Growth Intern, is a rising senior at The University of Tennessee — Chattanooga, studying Political Science and Public Service. Originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana, he has worked as a field organizer for The Vessel Project of Louisiana, a grassroots nonprofit focused on environmental justice, community advocacy, and mutual aid. He was drawn to Safer TN by his passion for public service and the chance to see advocacy, community engagement, and legislative work come together.

Mary Grove Gilbert, Coalition Growth Intern, is a rising senior at The University of Alabama, studying Political Science with a minor in Public Policy. Originally from Memphis, she has gained experience in public policy, community outreach, and advocacy through her father’s judicial campaign and an internship with the Shelby County Election Commission. Safer TN stood out for its commitment to advocacy, prevention, and improving the well-being of Tennesseans.

#3 What We’re Tracking: A New Face to the Safer TN team

We are pleased to welcome a new addition to Voices for a Safer Tennessee.

Katie Fayard has joined our staff as an Advancement Associate. A Nashville native with a background in fundraising, event planning, and strategic communications, Katie spent nearly a decade in New York City building her career in advertising and managing global events before returning home. She later served in development roles at Vanderbilt University and The Harpeth Hall School.

As the mother of a school-aged daughter and the wife of an avid duck hunter, Katie believes that protecting Tennessee’s families and respecting our state’s outdoor traditions can, and should, go hand in hand. We are thrilled to have her on the team.

#4 What We’re Tracking: Stories from the Road

Our Southeast Tennessee Coalition Coordinator, Emily Holden, shares a moment that stays with her.

“The night before our first trip together, after I had tucked my three-year-old son into bed, I received a text from my best friend. We’ve had many conversations about the work I do, and she has always been supportive of our mission. This time, though, the conversation felt especially personal.

She reached out to ask if I was comfortable with her bringing her firearm on our trip and to talk about how it would be stored safely. I was incredibly grateful that she started the conversation before we left. I told her I had no problem with her bringing it, but I also shared how relieved I was that she asked instead of leaving it to chance that my son might come across it.

My son knows not to touch firearms, but he’s three years old — and like any curious little boy, that alone isn’t enough. Knowing my friend had a plan for safe storage gave me tremendous peace of mind.

That simple conversation made all the difference. My child was safer because we talked openly. My friend felt confident traveling with her firearm, and I felt reassured knowing we had addressed safety together. Most importantly, she was willing to speak honestly, even though conversations like these can sometimes feel uncomfortable. Those moments of authenticity and transparency are exactly what help prevent life-altering tragedies.”

— Emily Holden, Southeast Tennessee Coalition Coordinator

If you’d like to volunteer at an upcoming event or have us speak to your community group, email our community engagement coordinator, Katy Dieckhaus.

Join us as a volunteer, or just stop by to say hello, at an event near you!

July 14–18: Bedford County Fair, Shelbyville
July 15: Lauderdale County Library Summer Reading Craft, Ripley
July 15: Hixson Council of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, Hixson
July 17: Adamsville Library Summer Reading Craft, Adamsville
July 18: Back to School Fair (location TBC)
July 23: Greenfield Library Summer Reading Craft, Greenfield
July 24: Germantown Farm Park Friday, Germantown
August 2: Manchester Watermelon Festival, Manchester
August 7–15: Williamson County Fair, Williamson County
August 8: American Legion POST 207 Breakfast, Spencer

Safer TN Tracker | 6.2.26

Jon Blankenship · June 15, 2026 ·

The legislative session may be over, but our work doesn’t take a summer break. It shows up at parades, festivals, and library craft tables across the state — and in the conversations that follow.

#1 What We’re Tracking: Katy Dieckhaus Named a Fresh Face of Philanthropy

We are proud to celebrate our own Katy Dieckhaus, Community Engagement Coordinator for Voices for a Safer Tennessee, who was named one of Nfocus magazine’s Fresh Faces of Philanthropy for 2026.

Katy’s path to this work is deeply personal. On March 27, 2023, her family lost their daughter Evelyn in the Covenant School tragedy — a moment that forever changed the trajectory of her life. Rather than stepping back, she stepped in as one of Safer TN’s most visible and active volunteers. Last year, after 17 years as a pediatric occupational therapist, she joined the Voices for a Safer Tennessee staff, bringing both her clinical background and her lived experience to the work of building safer communities.

Katy is described by colleagues as a bridge-builder who seeks common ground even in difficult spaces. We are grateful every day to have her on this team.

READ THE FULL NFOCUS FEATURE

#2 What We’re Tracking: Watch the Recording — Data Dashboard Webinar

The recording from last Thursday’s webinar is now available — along with our new data dashboard. If you couldn’t join us live, this is worth your time.

The numbers tell a story we can’t ignore:

In 2023, there were 1,622 firearm-related fatalities in Tennessee. Suicide made up the majority.
Firearm deaths in our state have increased 60% over the last 10 years.
Tennessee ranks 9th in the nation for firearm fatalities, with a rate of 22.7 per 100,000 residents — compared to a national average of 14.7.
The economic impact of firearm tragedies in Tennessee in 2023 was approximately $4.49 billion — or $600 for every man, woman, and child in the state.

EXPLORE THE DASHBOARD

watch the full recording

#3 What We’re Tracking: Louder than Guns on PBS

Louder than Guns, now streaming on PBS, follows communities across America grappling with gun violence and the people working to change the conversation. The film was executive produced by Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show — a member of our own advisory board. It’s a powerful watch, and a good one to share with someone who wants to understand the importance of these efforts.

watch louder than guns on pbs

#4 What We’re Tracking: Stories from the Road

This spring, our team has been showing up at parades, festivals, and resource fairs across Tennessee — and the conversations we’re having remind us exactly why this work matters.

Here’s what two people shared with us:

“When we lived in our old neighborhood when my son was little, he played with these twin boys down the street. Not long after we moved, we saw a news story about those little boys. They were playing and jumping on the bed, unaware of a loaded firearm on the bed as well. It went off. One of the twins didn’t make it. My son was 9 at the time and didn’t understand.”

“I thought I lived in a safe neighborhood. A nice neighborhood. But we had a string of car thefts and I had a firearm stolen right out of my car in my own driveway.”

Join us as a volunteer, or just stop by to say hello, at an event near you!

June 3: Maryville Rotary Club, Maryville
June 5: Bolivar Summer Reading Fest, Bolivar
June 6: National MooFest, Athens
June 8: Paris Library Summer Reading Program, Paris
June 9: Fayette Co. Library Summer Reading Program, Somerville
June 11: Dyersburg Library Summer Reading Program, Dyersburg
June 13: Covington Rhodes House Market, Covington
June 15: Chester Co. Library Summer Reading Program, Henderson
June 16: Chambliss Center for Children, Chattanooga
June 17: Ross Dyer Halls Library Summer Reading Program, Halls
June 20: Knoxville Brewfest, Knoxville
June 23: Ridgely Library Summer Reading Event, Ridgely
June 23: Chambliss Center for Children, Chattanooga
June 26: Germantown Farm Park Friday, Germantown
June 26: Fairfield Glade Rotary, Fairfield Glade
June 27: Summer Market at the Cove, Athens
June 27: Tellico Plains Kiwanis Red White & Boom, Tellico Plains

Safer TN Tracker | 5.5.26

Jon Blankenship · May 15, 2026 ·

Your support kept the Safer TN team at the Tennessee capitol all session long, and it made a difference.

With the 2026 legislative session now closed, we’re proud to share what our team achieved advocating for firearm safety policies that protect Tennessee families.

READ ABOUT OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

#1 What We’re Tracking: Save the Date: Data Dashboard Webinar – May 14

A landmark partnership between Safer TN and the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has produced an interactive dashboard revealing the staggering toll of firearm injuries and deaths in the state.

Join Matt Harris, Ph.D., the Boyd Distinguished Professor of Health Economics at the Boyd Center and co-creator of the dashboard, and Erin Rogus, Safer TN board member, for an interactive webinar session exploring this important research and what it means for Tennesseans.

#2 What We’re Tracking: You’re Invited: “Louder Than Guns” Panel and Screening

You are invited to a special viewing of “Louder Than Guns,” a documentary executive produced by Safer TN advisory board member Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show, with a pre-screening panel discussion.

#3 What We’re Tracking: Stories from the Road

Four volunteers made all the difference recently at Homestead Fest in Knoxville.

Through ServeUTK, the University of Tennessee’s volunteer network, I connected with four dedicated students who brought energy and purpose to our outreach table. They shared firearm safety information, distributed resources, and sparked genuine conversations with community members.

Their flexibility and commitment meant we could reach more people and show up stronger at the festival. Events like this don’t happen without volunteers who arrive ready to work, and these four absolutely delivered.

I’m deeply grateful for their support and for the partnership with ServeUTK that made it possible.

– Nycole Gentry, Safer TN Coalition Coordinator, Knoxville

*Volunteers at Homestead Fest in Knoxville, TN*

Join us as a volunteer, or just stop by to say hello, at an event near you!

May 5: TN Iris Festival Parade, Dresden
May 5: Kids and Family Resource Fair, Chattanooga
May 7: 48th Annual Poke Sallet Festival, Gainesboro and Whitleyville
May 8: Tennessee Strawberry Festival, Dayton
May 9: Holleroo, Knoxville
May 14: Hands Up Resource Fair, Athens
May 16: Middle TN Cornbread Festival & Car Show, Smithville
May 23: Murfreesboro Strawberry Festival, Murfreesboro
May 29: CASA Rodeo, Jasper
June 6: National MooFest, Athens