Media Advisory

As you know, many of us at Safer TN are focused on data and how it undergirds our work. This week, we’re reflecting on the data that gives us hope. A recent poll from Vanderbilt confirms once again that Tennesseans are more aligned on firearm safety policies than we may have thought. Additionally, a report from the Children’s Hospital Association highlights that, while children are at greater risk for firearm injury and death than ever before, hospitals in Tennessee and across the U.S. are stepping up with interventions to protect them. We hope this week’s Tracker newsletter brings you both hope and a realistic understanding of the challenges and progress we’re seeing.

Legislative Tracker

Safer TN is tracking seventeen mental health and firearm-related bills that are scheduled to be heard in committees this week. These bills address a variety of issues, including increasing penalties for firearm-related offenses, improving school security, and authorizing a study on the impact of the state’s firearm laws. One particularly concerning bill, HB478, removes penalties for carrying a firearm into a posted place of business – including restaurants, bars & hospitals – undercutting posting laws and infringing on private property rights.

Below, you’ll find descriptions of the bills, links to the full text, and details on the committee hearings, including dates, times, and livestream links.

Tuesday, March 4:

Noon CT – House Education Committee, House Hearing Room I, Agenda & Livestream

•  HB0522 by Reedy. (*SB0386 by Taylor.) Education – Amends TCA Title 16; Title 37 and Title 49. As introduced, enacts the “Early Behavioral Intervention and Reporting Act”; clarifies that public charter schools are required to have a threat assessment team in the same manner as required of local education agencies.

3pm CT – Senate Judiciary Committee, Senate Hearing Room I, Agenda & Livestream

• SB0243 by Bailey. (HB0588 by Butler.) Criminal Offenses – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1; Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 40. As introduced, creates a Class E felony for altering or defacing a permanent distinguishing number on a firearm and selling, purchasing, or possessing such a firearm with a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days incarceration.
• SB0957 by Lamar. (HB1082 by Camper.) Firearms and Ammunition – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13. As introduced, prohibits the possession, manufacture, transport, repair, or sale of a switch or auto sear device designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of converting a weapon to shoot automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger unless certain exceptions apply. 
• SB0241 by Taylor. (*HB0206 by Barrett.) Mental Illness – Amends TCA Title 33 and Title 52. As introduced, requires the chief officer of an inpatient mental health treatment resource to notify the committing court if a patient who was involuntarily committed for mental health treatment becomes eligible for discharge; permits the court to hold a hearing to determine whether to order the person’s return to the hospital under the original commitment or order the person’s release from involuntary commitment in accordance with the recommendations of the chief officer.

Wednesday, March 5:

9am – House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, House Hearing Room II, Agenda & Livestream

• HB1093 by Sexton. (*SB1075 by Johnson.) Safety, Dept. of – Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40. As introduced, extends, from 10 to 15 days, the amount of written notice of the hearing date and time the department must provide to a person requesting a hearing on the department’s suspension or revocation of the person’s handgun carry permit.
• HB0587 by Scarbrough. (SB0657 by Hensley.) Criminal Offenses – Amends TCA Title 39. As introduced, adds organized retail crime and possession or employment of a firearm during the commission of or attempt to commit a dangerous felony to the definition of racketeering activity; clarifies that carjacking is racketeering activity.
• HB0587 by Scarbrough. (SB0657 by Hensley.) Criminal Offenses – Amends TCA Title 39. As introduced, adds organized retail crime and possession or employment of a firearm during the commission of or attempt to commit a dangerous felony to the definition of racketeering activity; clarifies that carjacking is racketeering activity.
• HB0578 by Doggett. (SB1082 by Johnson.) Criminal Offenses – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13. As introduced, adds certain criminal offenses to the list of dangerous felonies for purposes of the offense of possessing a firearm or antique firearm during commission or attempt to commit a dangerous felony.
• HB1177 by Williams. (*SB0963 by Hatcher.) Criminal Procedure – Amends TCA Title 33; Title 40 and Title 52. As introduced, removes the requirement that any misdemeanor charges against a person found incompetent to stand trial due to mental illness or developmental disability must be retired within 11 months, 29 days after the date of arrest.
• HB0206 by Barrett. (SB0241 by Taylor.) Mental Illness – Amends TCA Title 33 and Title 52. As introduced, requires the chief officer of an inpatient mental health treatment resource to notify the committing court if a patient who was involuntarily committed for mental health treatment becomes eligible for discharge; permits the court to hold a hearing to determine whether to order the person’s return to the hospital under the original commitment or order the person’s release from involuntary commitment in accordance with the recommendations of the chief officer.
• HB0478 by Butler. (*SB0441 by Bailey.) Firearms and Ammunition – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13. As introduced, specifies that a person does not commit an offense if the person possesses or carries a firearm into an area that is posted if, upon the request of an individual authorized to control access to the property, the person immediately leaves the property or stores the firearm in a personal vehicle in accordance with state law.
• HB0588 by Butler. (*SB0243 by Bailey.) Criminal Offenses – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1; Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 40. As introduced, creates a Class E felony for altering or defacing a permanent distinguishing number on a firearm and selling, purchasing, or possessing such a firearm with a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days incarceration.
• HB0468 by Reeves. (*SB0163 by Hensley.) Criminal Offenses – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 1. As introduced, increases the penalty for reckless endangerment when the offense is committed by discharging a firearm or antique firearm into a motor vehicle from a Class E felony to a Class C felony, if the motor vehicle is occupied, or a Class D felony, if the motor vehicle is unoccupied.
• HB0184 by Hardaway. (SB0389 by Taylor.) Criminal Offenses – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 40, Chapter 35. As introduced, creates a Class C felony of reckless endangerment involving community terrorism, which is committed against a population within a geographic territory by members of a criminal gang or within 1,000 feet of a school or park; requires the sentencing court to revoke or prohibit the issuance of a driver license to individuals convicted of such offense for a five-year period following conviction.

10:30am – House Finance, Ways & Means Subcommittee, House Hearing Room III, Agenda & Livestream

• HB0399 by Bricken. (SB0470 by Bowling.) Education – Amends TCA Title 12 and Title 49. As introduced, enacts the “Protecting Tennessee Schools and Events Act.” Requires the department of education to establish a pilot program to award protecting Tennessee schools and events assistance grants to LEAs located in counties identified as distressed or at-risk by the economic and community development’s performance metrics for the fiscal year 2025, using funds appropriated by the general appropriations act for such purpose. Broadly captioned (10 pp.).

12pm – House Judiciary Committee, House Hearing Room I, Agenda & Livestream

• HB0514 by Gillespie. (*SB0379 by Walley.) Firearms and Ammunition – Amends TCA Title 37; Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40. As introduced, requires TACIR to perform a study on the impact of this state’s firearm laws on each county’s firearm sales, criminal offenses, and use of firearms for self-defense, as well as identifying the similarities and dissimilarities between the impacts on each county.

3pm – Senate Education Committee, Senate Hearing Room I, Agenda & LivestreamSB0470 by Bowling. (*HB0399 by Bricken.) Education – Amends TCA Title 12 and Title 49. As introduced, enacts the “Protecting Tennessee Schools and Events Act.” Requires the department of education to establish a pilot program to award protecting Tennessee schools and events assistance grants to LEAs located in counties identified as distressed or at-risk by the economic and community development’s performance metrics for the fiscal year 2025, using funds appropriated by the general appropriations act for such purpose. Broadly captioned (10 pp.).

With snow blanketing much of Tennessee this week, several of our Safer TN events had to be postponed. But, we continued to monitor legislation as it began to move through the General Assembly. Scroll down for more on what we’re tracking. 

Safer TN is tracking a dozen firearm-related bills set to be heard in committees this week, including several that were punted to this week due to snow-related cancellations.

These bills cover a range of topics, such as establishing new penalties for threats of mass violence, enhancing school security, and authorizing a study on the impact of the state’s firearm laws.

Below, you’ll find descriptions of the bills, links to the full text, and details on the committee hearings, including dates, times, and livestream links.

Below find descriptions of the bills, links to bill text, and the date, time and livestream links for the committees they’ll be heard in. 

Monday, Feb. 24

• 4 p.m. CT – Senate Floor, Vote calendar and Committee Livestream

HB0933/SB0814 (Parkinson/Gardenhire) – Education, Dept. of – As introduced, requires the department to establish and administer a three-year artificial intelligence weapons detection system grant pilot program to award grants to eligible local education agencies (LEAs) for the purchase of artificial intelligence weapons detection systems for schools without an artificial intelligence weapons detection system. – Amends TCA Title 49.

Tuesday, Feb. 25

• Noon CT – House Education Committee, House Hearing Room I, Agenda and Livestream

HB 399/SB0470 (Bricken/Bowling) – Education – As introduced, enacts the “Protecting Tennessee Schools and Events Act.” – Amends TCA Title 12 and Title 49. Requires the department of education to establish a pilot program to award protecting Tennessee schools and events assistance grants to LEAs located in counties identified as distressed or at-risk by the economic and community development’s performance metrics for the fiscal year 2025, using funds appropriated by the general appropriations act for such purpose. Specifies the primary purpose of the grants is to assist LEAs located in counties identified as distressed or at-risk in purchasing portable walk-through metal detectors. Specifies requirements for metal detectors, including being able to comfortably accommodate foot traffic, wheelchairs, and other mobility assistance devices, such as walkers or crutches.

• 3 p.m. CT – Senate Judiciary Committee,
  Senate Hearing Room I, Committee Livestream

SB591/HB1273 (Haile/Cochran) – Criminal Offenses – As introduced, creates the Class E felony of recklessly, by any means of communication, threatening to commit an act of mass violence on the property of a child care agency, preschool, or religious institution; creates the Class B misdemeanor of failing to report a threat to commit an act of mass violence on the property of a child care agency, preschool, or religious institution. – Amends TCA Title 39.

HB588/SB0243 (Butler/Bailey) – Criminal Offenses – As introduced, creates a Class E felony for altering or defacing a permanent distinguishing number on a firearm and selling, purchasing, or possessing such a firearm with a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days incarceration. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1; Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 40.

• 3 p.m. CT: House Education Administration Subcommittee,
  House Hearing Room III, Agenda and Livestream

HB0682/SB0699 (Jones, J./Kyle) – Education – As introduced, enacts the “Student Comfort through Alternative Restorative Environments (CARE) Act”; requires local education agencies and public charter schools to allow students of a school in the LEA or public charter school where an act of mass violence occurs to voluntarily participate in remote instruction or a virtual education program for at least 31 calendar days. Amends TCA Title 33; Title 37 and Title 49.

HB0522/SB0386 (Reedy/Taylor) – Education – As introduced, enacts the “Early Behavioral Intervention and Reporting Act”; clarifies that public charter schools are required to have a threat assessment team in the same manner as required of local education agencies. Amends TCA Title 16; Title 37 and Title 49.

Wednesday, Feb. 26

• 9 a.m. CT – House Criminal Justice Subcommittee,
  House Hearing Room II, Agenda and Livestream

HB0514/SB0379 (Gillespie/Walley) – Firearms and Ammunition – As introduced, requires TACIR to perform a study on the impact of this state’s firearm laws on each county’s firearm sales, criminal offenses, and use of firearms for self-defense, as well as identifying the similarities and dissimilarities between the impacts on each county. Amends TCA Title 37; Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB588/SB0243 (Butler/Bailey) – Criminal Offenses – As introduced, creates a Class E felony for altering or defacing a permanent distinguishing number on a firearm and selling, purchasing, or possessing such a firearm with a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days incarceration. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1; Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 40.

HB0184/SB0389 (Hardaway/Taylor) – Criminal Offenses – As introduced, creates a Class C felony of reckless endangerment involving community terrorism, which is committed against a population within a geographic territory by members of a criminal gang or within 1,000 feet of a school or park; requires the sentencing court to revoke or prohibit the issuance of a driver license to individuals convicted of such offense for a five-year period following conviction. Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 40, Chapter 35.

HB1314/SB1296 (Lamberth/Johnson) – Criminal Offenses – As introduced, creates the criminal offense of threatening to commit an act of mass violence; creates the criminal offense of posting on a publicly accessible website the telephone number or home address of an individual with the intent to cause harm or a threat of harm to the individual or a member of the individual’s family or household. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 8 and Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 3.

HB058/SB0657 (Scarbrough/Hensley) – Criminal Offenses – As introduced, adds organized retail crime and possession or employment of a firearm during the commission of or attempt to commit a dangerous felony to the definition of racketeering activity; clarifies that carjacking is racketeering activity. Amends TCA Title 39.

• 1:30 p.m. CT – House Civil Justice Subcommittee,
  House Hearing Room III, Agenda and Livestream

HJR0053 (Reedy) – Constitutional Amendments – Proposes an amendment to Article I, Section 26 of the Constitution of Tennessee to remove the provision that authorizes the legislature to regulate the wearing of arms with a view to prevent crime and to clarify that citizens have a right to keep and bear arms.

Safer TN had an impactful and busy week, focused on community engagement, advocacy, and preparation for the important weeks ahead. We helped spread kindness and support to the Antioch High School community for Valentine’s Day, with hundreds of volunteers creating nearly 3,000 valentines that were delivered along with thousands of Hershey’s Kisses. At the same time, we distributed our annual report to members of the General Assembly, ensuring lawmakers are informed about the progress we’ve made and the work that lies ahead.

We also had the opportunity to speak with leaders in the music industry, sharing updates on our work and encouraging them to get involved in making Tennessee safer. Meanwhile, our team continued the extensive review process of nearly 100 firearm-related bills filed for this session.

This was the first week both chambers of the General Assembly were fully in session and conducting regular business. Looking ahead to next week, we expect to see the first firearm-related bills debated in committee, marking an important step in this legislative session. Safer TN remains committed to monitoring these bills closely and advocating for solutions that protect our communities.

Safer TN is tracking eight firearm-related bills that are scheduled to be heard in committees next week.

These bills address a variety of issues, including creating new penalties for threats of mass violence, improving school security, authorizing a study on the impact of the state’s firearm laws, and offering insurance discounts for proper firearm storage. 

Below find descriptions of the bills, links to bill text, and the date, time and livestream links for the committees they’ll be heard in. 

Tuesday, Feb. 18:

• 3pm: House Education Administration Subcommittee,
  House Hearing Room III, Committee Livestream

HB214 (Rudd) – Local Education Agencies – As introduced, authorizes LEAs and public charter schools to employ retired law enforcement officers who are retired from a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency and honorably discharged veterans of the United States armed forces to serve as school resource officers on school premises; requires local boards of education and public charter school governing bodies to adopt policies to effectuate same. – Amends TCA Title 8; Title 10, Chapter 7, Part 5; Title 37; Title 38; Title 49; Section 55-8-151 and Title 62.

HB 399 (Bricken) – Education – As introduced, enacts the “Protecting Tennessee Schools and Events Act.” – Amends TCA Title 12 and Title 49. Requires the department of education to establish a pilot program to award protecting Tennessee schools and events assistance grants to LEAs located in counties identified as distressed or at-risk by the economic and community development’s performance metrics for the fiscal year 2025, using funds appropriated by the general appropriations act for such purpose. Specifies the primary purpose of the grants is to assist LEAs located in counties identified as distressed or at-risk in purchasing portable walk-through metal detectors. Specifies requirements for metal detectors, including being able to comfortably accommodate foot traffic, wheelchairs, and other mobility assistance devices, such as walkers or crutches.

• 3pm: Senate Judiciary Committee,
  Senate Hearing Room I, Committee Livestream

SB591 (Haile) – Criminal Offenses – As introduced, creates the Class E felony of recklessly, by any means of communication, threatening to commit an act of mass violence on the property of a child care agency, preschool, or religious institution; creates the Class B misdemeanor of failing to report a threat to commit an act of mass violence on the property of a child care agency, preschool, or religious institution. – Amends TCA Title 39.

Wednesday, Feb. 19:

• 9am: House Criminal Justice Subcommittee,
  House Hearing Room II, Committee Livestream

HB514 (Gillespie) – Firearms and Ammunition – As introduced, requires TACIR to perform a study on the impact of this state’s firearm laws on each county’s firearm sales, criminal offenses, and use of firearms for self-defense, as well as identifying the similarities and dissimilarities between the impacts on each county. – Amends TCA Title 37; Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB588 (Butler) – Criminal Offenses – As introduced, creates a Class E felony for altering or defacing a permanent distinguishing number on a firearm and selling, purchasing, or possessing such a firearm with a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days incarceration. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1; Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 40.

HB1314 (Lamberth) – Criminal Offenses – As introduced, creates the criminal offense of threatening to commit an act of mass violence; creates the criminal offense of posting on a publicly accessible website the telephone number or home address of an individual with the intent to cause harm or a threat of harm to the individual or a member of the individual’s family or household. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 8 and Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 3.

• 10:30am: House Insurance Subcommittee,
  House Hearing Room I, Committee Livestream 

HB1240 (Helton-Haynes) – Insurance Companies, Agents, Brokers, Policies – As introduced, requires an insurance company that is admitted to do business in this state and insures the tangible personal property of a policyholder who resides in this state to provide a discount to the policyholder through the policyholder’s homeowners or renters insurance policy if the policyholder secures the policyholder’s firearms in a firearm safe or uses a firearm safety device for the firearms and requests to receive the annual discount. – Amends TCA Title 56.

• 3pm: Senate Education Committee,
  Senate Hearing Room I, Committee Livestream

SB814 (Gardenhire) – Education, Dept. of – As introduced, requires the department to establish and administer a three-year artificial intelligence weapons detection system grant pilot program to award grants to eligible LEAs for the purchase of artificial intelligence weapons detection systems for schools without an artificial intelligence weapons detection system. – Amends TCA Title 49.

Several dangerous bills have been introduced

As expected, several concerning bills have been filed this session. One would eliminate the criminal offense for carrying a firearm on properly posted properties, including bars, restaurants, music venues, and hospitals. Another proposes amending the state constitution to remove the legislature’s authority to regulate the carrying of firearms as a means to prevent crime.

These bills aren’t scheduled to be heard yet in committee, but stay tuned. We’ll be flagging them and asking our coalition for support when it’s most needed. Keep checking the Tracker for the latest. 

All bills for the 2025 legislative session have now been filed, with over 1400 bills introduced and 94 related to firearms. These proposals cover a range of issues that could have significant impacts on firearm safety in Tennessee. Voices for a Safer Tennessee remains committed to advancing solutions that protect our communities while respecting Second Amendment rights.

The work now begins. Our team will carefully review every firearm-related bill, analyzing each one in detail to understand it in full. After a thorough assessment, we will determine which bills to support or oppose, ensuring that we advocate for policies rooted in data and driven by the goal of saving lives.

The General Assembly is back – and so are we

As the Tennessee General Assembly reconvened for their first week of regular session, Safer TN volunteers made their presence known in meaningful ways across the Capitol. Armed with cookies and comprehensive copies of our annual report, our advocates personally visited legislative offices to establish early connections with representatives. We will be back next week to deliver cookies and our annual report to state senators.

The impact of grassroots advocacy was particularly evident when community members from Memphis joined us for our first “day on the Hill” of 2025. These dedicated citizens didn’t just show up – they shared powerful, personal stories that brought statistics to life. They sat down with their district representatives and spoke candidly about the real-world impact of gun violence in their communities. Parents described the emotional toll of their children coming home with stories of yet another lockdown drill and detailed specific incidents of firearm violence that have affected their neighborhoods and homes.

These face-to-face meetings accomplished something crucial: they transformed abstract policy discussions into deeply personal conversations about community safety and well-being. Our volunteers didn’t just advocate for change – they put human faces and real experiences behind the statistics and policy proposals that legislators will be considering this session.

Make your valentine for Antioch High by Wednesday!

Safer TN is creating 2,500 Valentines for Antioch High School to be delivered on Feb. 13. You can participate in person for a family-friendly Valentine-making event on Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The Temple, 5015 Harding Pike in Belle Meade. You can also participate from home. Learn more at our Antioch valentines page.

Antioch High School students, faculty, and staff returned to class this week, just six days after a student opened fire in the school cafeteria. Tragically, a young woman was killed, two other students were injured, and the shooter died by suicide after turning the 9mm handgun he had obtained on himself.

Voices for a Safer Tennessee is driven by stories like these—stories of lives cut short, families grieving, and communities left to pick up the pieces. We believe that through education, advocacy, and the advancement of firearm safety policies, we can create a safer future for our children and families.

Read on to learn how you can advocate for safer communities and support the Antioch community.

How a bill becomes a law: A timely reminder

With new firearms bills filed, now is the perfect time to revisit how a bill becomes a law. Understanding this process is crucial as we advocate for meaningful, evidence-based firearm safety legislation. 

Refer to the graphic above, or view our legislative learning session where former state Senator Lowe Finney explained the process.

More firearms bills have been introduced at the State Capitol. The filing deadline is Feb. 6. We’ll share more details about what bills to track, support and oppose once we get the full scope of filed legislation following the deadline. 

Safer TN hosted a legislative briefing and fundraising event in Chattanooga on Wednesday. Thanks to the generous support of those in attendance, we surpassed our goal and raised more than $200,000! 

We covered the event, so be sure to watch the video here.

If you are moved to support our work, please consider donating. Your contribution helps us:

• Advocate for impactful, evidence-based policies and programs across Tennessee
• Empower coalition members to educate their communities on firearm safety awareness
• Sponsor educational programs, like our suicide prevention webinar.