Voices for a Safer Tennessee

Voices for a Safer Tennessee is a nonpartisan statewide coalition dedicated to prioritizing gun safety and advocating for common sense gun laws to make communities across Tennessee safer for all of us.

Media Advisory

The Carlos Whittaker Podcast Episode 4: The Mom Of A Covenant School Shooting Victim, A Woman Who Lost A Father And Son To Suicide By Firearms, And A Policy Maker With A Vision For A Safer World

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“Today we are courageously joined by Katy Dieckhaus, who lost her daughter Evelyn in the Covenant School Shooting in Nashville in 2023, and Annette Lake, who lost both her father Kenny and son Terrance to suicide by firearm less than a year apart in the early 2000s. They’re sharing their stories with you. We are also joined by Erin Rogus, who is walking with people like Katy and Annette to fight for change. Erin is the policy director for Voices For A Safer Tennessee, which is a nonprofit, nonpartisan statewide coalition dedicated to prioritizing firearm safety and advocating for common sense gun laws to make communities across Tennessee safer for all of us. Listening to stories like Katy’s and Annette’s is how we practice walking with people and not standing on issues. These women’s stories will change you— maybe not your opinion, and that’s okay—but they will change your heart if you let them.”

Listen on The Carlos Whittaker Podcast.

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Tennessean: We have lost loved ones to suicides. Here’s what we can do to help others in distress.

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By Rev. Clay Stauffer and Rabbi Shana Mackler | December 19, 2023 

“Those of us who are involved in the leadership of faith communities understand all too well how tender this time of year will be for our friends and neighbors.

For most of us, December is a flurry of preparations for a gathering of loved ones during the Christmas and Chanukah seasons as we surround tables to celebrate our faith and the connections with our family.

But for many, those moments will be bittersweet as we remember those close to us who are no longer present to celebrate. The memories are especially painful when those loved ones have been lost because of a preventable firearm tragedy.”

Continue reading at The Tennessean.

Rev. Dr. Clay Stauffer is senior minister of Woodmont Christian Church and an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt University. He is an advisory board member of Voices for a Safer Tennessee.

Rabbi Shana Mackler is the rabbi and senior scholar at The Temple, Congregation Ohabai Sholom in Nashville.

Tennessean: Years after Army service, I’m working to protect my children from gun violence

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By Chris Baxley | November 14, 2023 

“Although I am a veteran, I have never made a big deal of Veterans Day. I certainly appreciate the kind words and hold in high regard all who’ve served.

This year, however, I am humbly asking for my fellow Tennesseans’ support in defending and protecting our children.

On March 27, the youngest two of our three children came home from school very anxious. They were on lockdown most of the day and knew something had happened. We explained that a shooter broke into Covenant, a nearby school, and murdered three children and three adults. Our then-second-grade son listened and darted off to his room to process the news. Our then-third-grade daughter stood like a statue in our kitchen. After what felt like forever, she asked: ‘Do I know them?'”

Continue reading at The Tennessean.

Chris Baxley, an Army veteran who most recently served as captain, is vice president of Health System Strategy and Partnerships at Radiology Partners

Tennessean: We can support both the Second Amendment and responsible gun ownership

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By Michael Bass and Prentiss Nelson | November 13, 2023

“Veterans stand with a constitutional oath to protect the public, rights including the Second Amendment, and gun safety.

As veterans of the United States Marine Corps, we each took an oath when we joined our service to protect and defend our country and the Constitution that governs it.

Ultimately, we committed ourselves to protecting our fellow Americans – our neighbors, family and communities. Though our active-duty service is over, we – and so many other fellow veterans – still carry this oath and commitment with us.”

Continue reading at The Tennessean.

Voices for a Safer Tennessee: Advocacy is like a marathon

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This Labor Day, take time to recharge after an emotional week.

Dear friends, 

I often make the analogy that advocacy is like a marathon. It requires preparation and training, a steady pace, a passionate spirit and a commitment to being in it for the long haul. It comes with challenges to be overcome and requires a healthy dose of self-care. Like a marathon, the rewards that come with crossing the finish line make the journey more than worth it. 

This special session marked an emotional first leg of the marathon. As the week comes to a close and we approach the Labor Day holiday, we encourage each of you to take some time to rest, relax and recharge. We have much more work to do to reach the finish line, and it will require all of us to take care of ourselves and each other in the process. 

As you recharge, please know of our continued appreciation for each and every one of you. THANK YOU! The willingness of so many of our coalition members across the state to step up and use their voices in support of firearm safety is not only deeply appreciated, but also invaluable to our efforts. 

Here’s a quick snapshot of what we achieved together over the past two weeks: 

  • Members of our coalition that is more than 20,000 strong and representative of all 95 counties contacted state lawmakers asking them to take action on firearm safety.
  • Nearly 400 volunteers from 20 counties showed up at the Capitol and Cordell Hull, serving as a physical reminder that the majority of Tennesseans want and expect change. 
  • We successfully met (and exceeded) matching challenge gifts from Sen. Bill and Tracy Frist and Barbara Hyde to raise more than $300,000 from over 700 people in just 10 days. 
  • We advocated for the passage of three bills that served as small, first steps toward increased firearm safety and set the stage for deeper conversations leading into the 2024 legislative session this January. 

The effort to create a safer Tennessee will continue to take all of us. We are so inspired to be running this “marathon” alongside each of you. 

Happy Labor Day, and thank you for being a strong voice for a Safer TN. 

Sincerely, 

Nicole Smith

Voices for a Safer Tennessee, Board President

P.S. We’d love to hear directly from you about the ways you used your voice and took action during the special session. Please share your stories and photos here.