Jon Blankenship

Last month’s active shooter report at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga was confirmed as a hoax, claimed by an online group. Sadly, hoaxes like these are becoming more common in Tennessee—and they’re disruptive and frightening.

While details on the new firearm safety instruction required in public schools remain vague, we hope it will cover the dangers of making threats—even as a joke—so students can avoid terrifying classmates and facing serious legal consequences. Here’s what we’re tracking right now…

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1-What We’re Tracking: Hoaxes, Arrests, and Firearm Safety in Schools

According to a troubling report by The Trace, last month’s active shooter scare at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga was confirmed as a hoax. It was one of more than 20 false active shooter reports on college campuses in a two-week period, with a shadowy online group taking credit for these calls to law enforcement. Unfortunately, incidents like this are not uncommon in grade schools and colleges alike.

The Nashville Banner reports that 44 Metro Nashville Public School students were arrested last school year for making threats of mass violence, compared with only 12 the year prior. The report notes this increase doesn’t necessarily mean violent threats are rising; instead, it reflects a law passed last year that elevated such threats to a felony. Safer TN urges parents to remind their children never to joke about making threats, including posting or resharing online content that could be misinterpreted. Even so-called “jokes” can carry serious legal consequences in today’s climate of heightened fear around active shooters.

Meanwhile, Safer TN is awaiting updates from state agencies and school districts about the new requirements for age-appropriate firearm safety education in public schools. This change stems from legislation enacted in 2024 that goes into effect this school year.

We support this requirement: Studies show 70% of children know where their parents’ firearms are located, and Tennessee ranks third in the nation for accidental shootings by children. While responsible gun ownership is the foundation of prevention, teaching kids what to do if they encounter a firearm is also a proven way to save lives. You can find our resource about talking to children about firearm safety here.

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2-What We’re Tracking: Dove Season & Firearm Safety with Elliott Davenport

Dove season is here, and for many Tennesseans, it’s a family tradition and often kids’ introduction to hunting. Safer TN member Elliott Davenport shares how dove hunting isn’t just about time in the field—it’s also about passing down the fundamentals of firearm safety.

In his short video, Elliott reminds us that safe practices extend far beyond hunting:

• Treat every gun as if it’s loaded
• Keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction
• Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot

Watch Elliott’s full message for other tips. You can learn more about dove hunting season by visiting the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

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3-What We’re Tracking: Safer TN Launches Radio Campaign on Secure Firearm Storage

Safer TN has launched a new radio campaign across iHeartRadio stations in Middle Tennessee to highlight the life-saving importance of secure firearm storage. The campaign is designed to reach rural and suburban audiences with a message of responsible gun ownership.

Why now? Because the situation is urgent: most firearm deaths in Tennessee are suicides, and our state’s firearm suicide rate is nearly 50% higher than the national average, with rural residents at especially high risk. Tennessee also ranks third in the nation for accidental shootings involving children—tragedies that are often preventable with secure storage.

The radio ad features a Tennessee father and grandfather reminding listeners that locking up firearms when not in use saves lives.

“Secure storage isn’t just a best practice—it can save lives,” said Tim Sinks, Safer TN’s Treasurer.

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4-What We’re Tracking: Crime is Down in Tennessee

According to a new 400+ page report from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, overall crime in the state dropped 6% last year with murders decreasing by 19% year over year (538 total statewide). Gun thefts from cars also declined in 2024, though that number has begun to climb again this year—at least in Nashville.

Encouragingly, murders remain down so far in 2025—17% lower in the first half of the year across Tennessee.

While crime is still a top concern nationally, the trend in Tennessee points toward safer communities and progress worth building on.

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5-What We’re Tracking: We’re Looking for New Fall & Winter Interns!

This summer, Memphis resident Maggie Taylor interned with us. She monitored legislation, tracked firearm violence incidents, and built connections in Memphis to strengthen our network. As our only Memphis student representative, Maggie brought a unique perspective and a strong commitment to making her community safer.

Now, we’re looking for more student leaders like her! Applications are open for fall and winter internships—a chance to gain hands-on experience in public policy, advocacy, and communications. Learn more and apply here.

Safer TN recently partnered with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to distribute free gun locks, and the response has been tremendous.

This summer, we’ve shared these locks with communities across the state, sparking important conversations and helping gun owners prevent avoidable firearm tragedies. Read more about where we’ve been and the impact we’re making.

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1-What We’re Tracking: Safer TN distributes hundreds of gun locks at multiple events

Firearm injuries and deaths are preventable, not inevitable. One of the most effective ways to reduce them is through secure storage. Simply keeping a firearm out of sight or out of reach is not enough to stop children or unauthorized adults from accessing it. Organizations from the NRA to the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend keeping firearms unloaded and locked when not in use. Ammunition should also be stored separately—a crucial step in preventing suicides when crisis and means can tragically align. Safer TN offers resources on what secure storage looks like and how to talk to children about firearm safety.

At events in July and early August, we distributed nearly 500 free gun locks—proof that when these tools are brought directly to gun owners, they’ll take them and, we hope, put them to use. We look forward to meeting more gun owners where they are and continuing to provide these lifesaving resources through this valuable partnership with the state.

If you want a free gun lock now, visit this website to find a location near you. Here are the instructions on how to use a cable lock, as well.

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2-What We’re Tracking: Where we’ve been and where we’re going

In less than a month, Safer TN has attended six community events across the state. We kicked things off in Memphis at the Le Bonheur School Nurse Conference, speaking with school nurses from across West Tennessee and Arkansas about firearm safety. Next, we visited the Germantown Farmers Market to connect with Shelby County residents in a suburban setting. We also joined First Fridays in Columbia, participated in a health fair in Sumner County, and wrapped up at the Williamson County Fair — where we distributed more than 200 gun locks in a single day.

In the months ahead, we’ll be presenting to several Rotary clubs and finalizing additional events. Stay tuned — we’ll share details as soon as we know when we’ll be in your area.

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3-What We’re Tracking: Safer TN in the news

Another effective way we connect with people across Tennessee is through the media, and Safer TN has been featured multiple times recently. Our board chair, Todd Cruse, appeared on Inside Politics with Ben Hall in Nashville, where he shared why Safer TN is committed for the long haul, why we’re focusing on education right now, and how you can help. You can watch the full interview above, and we’ve shared key clips on our social media channels.

We were also asked to comment on Tennessee’s new requirement for schools to teach age-appropriate firearm safety, which includes secure firearm storage, school safety relating to firearms, and what to do if a firearm is found.

In addition, board member Beverly Robertson appeared on WREG’s Live at 9 to share more about our work. She summed it up perfectly: no matter our backgrounds or political affiliations, we all want our children and communities and for our children to be safe.

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4-What We’re Tracking: Glock switch ban is upheld by federal appeals court

After a Memphis man was arrested for firing at police during a chase, investigators found a Glock switch on his handgun. He was convicted for possessing an unregistered machine gun. The man appealed, arguing that his prosecution violated his Second Amendment right to bear arms.

The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that machine guns are not protected by the Second Amendment, thus affirming the defendant’s 108-month prison sentence. Historical legal precedent supports the government’s authority to prohibit “dangerous and unusual weapons.”

Glock switches are now banned under Tennessee state law as well, thanks to a bipartisan measure enacted this year by the General Assembly. While the case may be appealed to the United States Supreme Court, Safer TN is encouraged by this ruling.

As summer winds down, Safer TN is tracking key developments impacting safety across Tennessee. This month, we’re highlighting two newly signed firearm safety laws and sharing new resources to help families talk about and securely store firearms.

At the same time, alarming trends continue: gun thefts are rising in Nashville, and new research places Tennessee in the nation’s growing “suicide belt,” highlighting the urgent need for rural mental health investment. Read on for more.

#1 What We’re Tracking: Firearm safety laws signed by Governor Lee

On July 1, Governor Bill Lee signed several new public safety laws, including some we closely tracked at Safer TN: a ban on Glock switches, stricter penalties for road rage shootings, and a new law criminalizing credible threats of mass violence.

Glock switches are small devices that turn handguns into illegal machine guns capable of firing up to 1,000 rounds per minute. The new law—championed by House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Senate Speaker Jack Johnson—elevates possession to a Class C felony. Earlier this year, we met with Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp, who shared the devastating impact of these devices in her community. The law also strengthens penalties for drive-by shootings, including road rage incidents. This is especially urgent after a recent case in which two people were arrested for killing a 22-year-old on I-24. Data also shows that Tennessee ranks among the top three states for armed road rage incidents.

Another new law broadens Tennessee’s criminal code to address credible threats of mass violence. Sponsored by Rep. William Lamberth and Sen. Jack Johnson, it raises penalties for those with prior convictions and requires threats to meet a standard of credibility, determined by law enforcement. It also includes protections against online doxxing.

This law builds on last year’s legislation criminalizing threats against schools by expanding the scope to include places of worship, government offices, and live events. It introduces a clearer standard of intent and credibility, increases penalties, and expands where charges can be applied.

Both laws represent meaningful progress in making Tennessee communities safer, and we’re proud to have supported their passage.

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#2 What We’re Tracking: New firearm safety resources available!

Safer TN has added two important new pages to our website focused on firearm safety: one on how to talk about guns with children and other adults, and another on how to securely store firearms. These resources are designed to help families approach these conversations with confidence, clarity, and care.

Talking to children about firearms doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Just like conversations about fire safety or stranger danger, it’s about being clear, consistent, and age-appropriate. We also provide practical tips for starting safety conversations with other parents before playdates. These discussions that may feel uncomfortable in the moment but are essential for protecting children.

Our other resource, focused on secure storage, outlines best practices for safely securing guns in the home and in vehicles, drawing on guidance from firearms and medical experts. These steps can help prevent accidental injuries. Both pages were thoughtfully compiled by Safer TN staff, with support from our interns, and are designed to encourage responsible gun ownership and open, safety-focused dialogue.

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#3 What We’re Tracking: Guns stolen from Nashville belong to owners both in and out of Davidson County

Recent news reports reveal that more than 500 guns have been stolen in Nashville so far this year, averaging nearly three per day. In response, Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake announced a new community dashboard that allows residents to track where gun thefts are happening across Davidson County. “I encourage our residents to use this information to see where thefts are occurring and as a constant reminder to safeguard guns and belongings,” Chief Drake told WSMV.

The dashboard shows most guns are stolen from vehicles, followed by buildings and then individuals. According to Metro Nashville Police, most guns reported stolen are nearly evenly split between owners who live inside Davidson County and those who live outside the county limits.

Numbers shared with Safer TN show that 48.4% of the guns stolen so far this year are from Davidson County owners and 49.1% are from out of county residents. That means whether gun owners are from Nashville or not, they are being targeted equally and are equally not securing their firearms.

As of mid-July, MNPD reports 541 guns have been stolen from vehicles alone in 2025—an 18% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

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#4 What We’re Tracking: Tennessee now part of expanding national “Suicide Belt”

#4 What We’re Tracking: Tennessee now part of expanding national “Suicide Belt”

New research from East Tennessee State University has identified Tennessee as part of the growing national “suicide belt”, a region of the country with disproportionately high suicide rates that stretches from West Virginia to Nevada. While this term has appeared in studies since at least 2008, researchers say the belt is expanding, and Tennessee’s inclusion is driven largely by challenges in rural communities.

Researchers cited several key risk factors contributing to higher suicide rates in these areas, including limited access to mental health care, stigma around seeking help, poverty, isolation, and lack of transportation. Certain professions, such as agricultural work, are also linked to increased risk. Alarmingly, 91 of Tennessee’s 95 counties are designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as having a shortage of mental health professionals. Only Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, and Sumner counties are not.

“We found out the Western states have a very high suicide rate, but we didn’t expect Tennessee to fall into the suicide belt,” Dr. Qian Huang, a professor at ETSU’s Center for Rural Health and Research, told News 2. “But considering Tennessee has a lot of rural areas, we could narrow that down.”

Dr. Aaron Brinen, assistant professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Vanderbilt, emphasized to News 2 the importance of investing in mental health as both an economic and moral imperative: “Effective interventions cost so little and help people get back to the life they want. When individuals recover, they return to work, come off Medicaid or Medicare, and reclaim their lives. It’s one of the most cost-effective things a state can do.”