Media Advisory

Tennessee’s legislators may have adjourned the special session, but the work for firearm safety legislation has only just begun.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 29, 2023) — Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN), a nonpartisan organization dedicated to prioritizing firearm safety and promoting responsible firearm ownership through bipartisan legislation, issued the following statement regarding the adjournment of the special session on public safety: 

Tennessee’s legislators may have gone home today, but we will continue to advocate for firearm safety legislation in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.

Small steps were made toward firearm safety with the three bills that passed in both chambers – all of which Voices for a Safer Tennessee supported. While we acknowledge these small steps forward, they only begin to scratch the surface of what is needed to meaningfully strengthen firearm safety in Tennessee. Much more needs to be done to make communities across our state safer.

Safer TN fundamentally believes that there is common ground, in all 95 counties, around temporary transfer laws, stronger firearms storage, and consistent background checks. Looking forward to the 2024 legislative session, we call on our legislators to hear their constituents’ support for these solutions and to act on them. Our more than 20,000 members will join with the voices of so many others to do the same. 

Since our founding in the days following the Covenant School shooting, Safer TN has believed that we will make change through discussion, common ground and shared solutions. So we will continue the conversations, doing the research, educating and engaging one another until substantive progress is made in protecting our communities from firearm violence.

About Voices for a Safer Tennessee
Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition dedicated to prioritizing common-sense firearm safety laws and promoting responsible firearm ownership to make communities across our state safer. Safer TN was founded by neighbors, friends, colleagues and community members who came together with a shared desire for change following the tragic events of March 27, 2023, at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tenn. The organization brings voters and lawmakers together by leading conversations, sharing diverse perspectives and finding commonality to champion the bipartisan change that the majority of Tennessee voters support. Learn more at safertn.org.

Nonpartisan coalition expands its leadership as it continues to work toward advancing firearm safety policy in Tennessee during the special session and beyond

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 17, 2023) — Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN), a nonpartisan organization dedicated to prioritizing firearm safety and promoting responsible firearm ownership through bipartisan legislation, has added two new directors to its governing board: Lisa Rottmann of Knoxville and Dori Thornton Waller of Chattanooga. In addition, the organization announced the creation of an advisory board of prominent Tennessee leaders.

New Board of Director Members

Lisa Rottmann, a Knoxville native, is president and chief executive officer of Stowers Machinery Corporation, where she has served in leadership roles for more than 11 years. She is a seasoned marketing, human capital and business strategist, and an active member of her local community.

Before starting her Tennessee-based business, The Social Office, Dori Thornton Waller lived in Washington, D.C. and served in the White House for President George W. Bush as the youngest deputy social secretary in recent history. Waller now resides in Chattanooga and leads a team of highly successful signature event planners with a statewide and national presence.

“Lisa and Dori bring valuable expertise and perspective to our already diverse and experienced board,” said Todd Cruse, chairman and treasurer for the Safer TN board of directors. “As we continue to build our board leadership, we have been intentional about aligning the political representation of the board with that of the state and ensuring broad geographic reach across Tennessee. We are proud to have Lisa and Dori serving in these important roles to help improve the safety of our great state.” 

Advisory Board

To help further guide and support the organization’s efforts, Safer TN has convened an advisory board of prominent Tennessee leaders who have raised their hands in support of stronger firearm safety policies. This group represents influential leadership within the government, healthcare, business, faith, education, music and philanthropy sectors and includes:

1. Dr. Michael Burcham, Executive Partner, Shore Capital Partners
2. Bill Carpenter, Healthcare Executive and Chairman of the Board for FirstBank
3. Senator Bill Frist, M.D., Former United States Senate Majority Leader
4. Vince Gill, musician and singer/songwriter
5. Amy Grant, Christian and pop recording artist, and philanthropist
6. Milton Johnson, Former CEO, HCA Healthcare
7. Teresa Sloyan, President, Hyde Family Foundation
8. Dr. Clay Stauffer, Senior Minister, Woodmont Christian Church (Advisory board chair)
9. Dwayne Tucker, CEO, Lead Public Schools
10. Jamie Woodson, Founder and Principal, TriStar Strategies and former State Senator

“Firearm safety is not a partisan issue, it is a public safety issue, and we must set politics aside to address the devastating impact firearm violence is having across our state, particularly amongst our children,” said Senator Bill Frist, M.D. “I have been following Voices for a Safer Tennessee since the organization’s formation, and I believe that the nonpartisan coalition they have built is a strong platform to break through the political noise, raise awareness about the troubling data, and encourage collaborative solutions that ultimately improve the safety of citizens in our great state. I am eager to work with Safer TN as a member of the Advisory Board, among an exceptional group of Tennessee leaders.”

Dr. Clay Stauffer will serve as chairman of the advisory board. The group will engage in advocacy, education and fundraising alongside the coalition and its leadership in an effort to achieve the organization’s policy goals of:

1. Temporary transfer laws that would allow authorities to temporarily restrict access to firearms from people who pose a risk to themselves or others
2. Stronger firearm storage laws that require firearm owners to provide secure storage and report lost or stolen weapons
3. Consistent background check requirements across more firearm transactions to help keep firearms away from dangerous people who are not legally allowed to own them

Safer TN’s board and advisory board announcements follow the proclamation by Governor Bill Lee calling a special session on public safety to begin August 21. Expansion of these important leadership bodies poises the organization for continued effectiveness during the special session, into the 2024 session and beyond. Today, the Safer TN coalition includes more than 20,000 supporters representing all political viewpoints and nearly all 95 counties in Tennessee. 

Safer TN encourages all Tennesseans who believe that we can find common ground around firearm safety and protect our communities to get involved by joining the coalition, donating, and following Safer TN on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for regular updates and calls to action.

About Voices for a Safer Tennessee

Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition dedicated to prioritizing common-sense firearm safety laws and promoting responsible firearm ownership to make communities across our state safer. Safer TN was founded by neighbors, friends, colleagues and community members who came together with a shared desire for change following the tragic events of March 27, 2023, at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tenn. The organization brings voters and lawmakers together by leading conversations, sharing diverse perspectives and finding commonality to champion the bipartisan change that the majority of Tennessee voters support. Learn more at safertn.org.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 8, 2023) — Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN), a nonpartisan organization dedicated to prioritizing firearm safety and promoting responsible firearm ownership through bipartisan legislation, released the following statement regarding Governor Bill Lee’s official call for a special session on public safety:

We commend Governor Bill Lee for issuing the official call for a special session to begin on Aug. 21, 2023, at 4 p.m. While Tennesseans have voiced support for a broader scope of solutions to be considered during the special session, opening doors to discuss orders of protection, beginning to address background check challenges, and educating the public on the value of secure storage, are first steps in the right direction and mark the beginning of a process that will carry into the 2024 Tennessee General Assembly and beyond. 

The challenges associated with firearm safety are complex and have worsened over many years. We know that it will take time to fully address and correct the dangerous trajectory we are on. We encourage the General Assembly to move forward during the special session with an open mind, acting in the interests of the thousands of Tennessee voters across the state who have made it abundantly clear that we want and expect change.

Fueled by nonpartisan support in nearly all 95 counties, our momentum is strong, and we will remain committed – this session and in sessions that follow – to advocating for:  

• Temporary transfer laws that would allow authorities to temporarily restrict access to firearms from people who pose a risk to themselves or others
• Stronger firearm storage laws that require firearm owners to provide secure storage and report lost or stolen weapons
• Consistent background check requirements across more firearm transactions to help keep firearms away from dangerous people who are not legally allowed to own them

Tennesseans’ voices are important now more than ever. We will continue to actively engage in discussions with policymakers across the state, as well as with our friends, family and neighbors. Together, with time and dedication, we will find common ground on meaningful policies that will make our communities safer. 

We look forward to working with policymakers now and in the future to create a safer Tennessee.

About Voices for a Safer Tennessee

Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition dedicated to prioritizing common-sense firearm safety laws and promoting responsible firearm ownership to make communities across our state safer. Safer TN was founded by neighbors, friends, colleagues and community members who came together with a shared desire for change following the tragic events of March 27, 2023, at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tenn. The organization brings voters and lawmakers together by leading conversations, sharing diverse perspectives and finding commonality to champion the bipartisan change that the majority of Tennessee voters support. Learn more at safertn.org.

Warning: Content might not be suitable for all audiences, especially children, viewer discretion is strongly advised.

Ad campaign to feature multiple videos that highlight firearm safety policies and call Tennessee voters to reach out to their legislators and express their support

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 3, 2023) — Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN), a nonpartisan organization dedicated to prioritizing firearm safety and promoting responsible firearm ownership through bipartisan legislation, today launched a statewide public education campaign ahead of the August 21 special legislative session planned by Governor Bill Lee. The first campaign ad, entitled “What’s More Important?,” features Katy Dieckhaus, mother of Evelyn Diekhaus (9), one of six victims killed on March 27, 2023 at The Covenant School. The campaign launches the week of what would have been Evelyn’s 10th birthday.

The first video honors Evelyn’s deep faith and love for learning and raises awareness of the fact that a deeply troubled individual was easily able to access multiple firearms, which ultimately killed three children and three adults, including Evelyn. Tennessee’s current laws do little to nothing to prevent individuals who are a danger to themselves or others from accessing firearms, though recent polls show the majority of Tennesseans support legislation that would address this. 

The policies Safer TN is advocating for during this session include:

1. Temporary transfer laws that would allow authorities, following due process, to temporarily restrict access to firearms from people who pose a risk to themselves or others
2. Stronger firearm storage laws that require firearm owners to provide secure storage and report lost or stolen weapons
3. Consistent background check requirements across more firearm transactions to help keep firearms away from dangerous people who are not legally allowed to own them

“The time is now. Our children have the right to go to school and live without fear of being shot. Our citizens have the right to feel safer in our communities than they do today. We can make change and preserve these rights, while also preserving the values and rights of responsible firearm ownership,” said Todd Cruse, chairman and treasurer of Safer TN. “As an avid sportsman, gun owner, father and proud Tennessean, I urge you to watch these videos and use your voice to help make change.”

In addition to launching this educational campaign, Safer TN has made exceptional progress building a statewide coalition of Tennessee voters who share a common desire for stronger firearm safety measures. The coalition currently includes voters representing nearly all 95 counties in Tennessee. Supporters are engaging in activities ranging from contacting their local representatives to hosting community forums, such as last week’s “Faith, Firearms and Community Safety in Middle Tennessee” event in Maury County. Safer TN also continues to see an influx of support from donors across the state who are committed to making Tennessee a safer place for us all. These donations allow for the development and sharing of helpful resources like those featured in this campaign.

Safer TN encourages all Tennesseans who believe that we can find common ground and protect our communities to get involved by joining the coalition, donating, and following Safer TN on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for regular updates and calls to action.

About Voices for a Safer Tennessee

Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition dedicated to prioritizing common-sense firearm safety laws and promoting responsible firearm ownership to make communities across our state safer. Safer TN was founded by neighbors, friends, colleagues and community members who came together with a shared desire for change following the tragic events of March 27, 2023, at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tenn. The organization brings voters and lawmakers together by leading conversations, sharing diverse perspectives and finding commonality to champion the bipartisan change that the majority of Tennessee voters support. Learn more at safertn.org.

Thursday, May 18, 2023

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN), a nonpartisan organization dedicated to prioritizing firearm safety and promoting responsible firearm ownership through bipartisan legislation, today announced that it has formally registered as a nonprofit organization under the 501(c)(4) designation of the Internal Revenue Service. Safer TN also has announced its founding board of directors and board officers, who represent a broad range of professional and political backgrounds in reflection of the organization’s objectives:

• Todd Cruse, chairman and treasurer;
• Nicole Smith, president;
• Whitney Kimerling, secretary;
• Clay Richards; and
• Jill Talbert.

“It is an honor to serve as chairman of the board for Voices for a Safer Tennessee and to have an opportunity to meaningfully contribute to the organization’s efforts to advance common-sense firearm safety legislation,” said Todd Cruse. “As a parent, gun-owner and Tennessee voter, I firmly believe that the concepts of firearm ownership and firearm safety are not mutually exclusive, and that there is a clear, bipartisan path forward to protecting our children and communities more effectively than we are doing today.”

Today’s announcement comes approximately six weeks after the volunteer-run group of parents, neighbors, friends and community members came together, and one month after Safer TN’s “Linking Arms for Change” event that garnered national and statewide media attention by bringing nearly 10,000 Tennesseans in Nashville and Knoxville together, ultimately forming a three-mile human chain in support of common-sense firearm safety legislation. Since then, Safer TN has built unprecedented momentum and support by bridging people of diverse interests, religions, political perspectives and geographies to engage in advocacy including: 

• Publishing Letters of Support, championed by key Tennessee leaders, including education leaders, healthcare executives and faith leaders respectively;
• Releasing statewide, bipartisan poll results showing strong support for common-sense firearm policies from Tennessee voters with key demographics, including Republicans and households with guns;
• Meeting with United States Senators and other leaders in Washington D.C., to ask for support and have productive conversations about firearm safety;
• Coordinating nearly 100 meetings with state legislators and elected officials in less than six weeks;
• Sustaining a daily visible contingency of supporters on site at the Tennessee State Capitol and Cordell Hull buildings during the regularly scheduled state legislative session;
• Organizing a group of notable artists, including Amy Grant, Sheryl Crow, Ruby Amanfu, Will Hoge, Allison Russell and Margo Price to meet with state lawmakers about addressing firearm safety measures;
• Bringing together more than 65 notable musicians and artists, including Sheryl Crow, Kacey Musgraves, Amy Grant, Emmylou Harris, Martina McBride, Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini, Jason Isbell and more, to support a letter addressed to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and members of the Tennessee General Assembly, asking them to put politics aside and the safety of our children above all else; 
• Collecting more than 3,000 petition signatures in support of stronger firearm safety and ownership laws;
• Inspiring news coverage in more than 500 media stories across the state and the world – from local community newspapers to international television broadcasts reflecting a nonpartisan, common-ground approach to firearm safety solutions;
• Sharing timely and actionable information with supporters following Governor Bill Lee’s introduction of an order of protection bill and subsequent call for a special session of the legislature to address public safety.

“It is extraordinary what our group of volunteers has been able to accomplish in a short amount of time, and how many like-minded Tennesseans have willingly mobilized to support this cause,” Cruse continued. “By formalizing as a 501(c)(4) and creating the mechanism to raise funds, we are now in a stronger position to continue advancing the short- and long-term goals of Safer TN, including our efforts ahead of the special session that begins August 21.”

Leading up to the special session, Safer TN is continuing to advocate for:

• extreme risk laws with proven language that would allow authorities to temporarily restrict access to firearms from people who pose a risk to themselves or others, 
• stronger firearm storage laws that would require firearm owners to provide safe storage and report lost or stolen firearms, and 
• closing background check loopholes to keep firearms away from dangerous people. 

Safer TN encourages all Tennesseans who believe that we can find common ground to achieve these policies and protect our communities to get involved by donating, signing the petition, and following Safer TN on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for regular updates and calls to action. 

About Voices for a Safer Tennessee

Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition dedicated to prioritizing common-sense firearm safety laws and promoting responsible firearm ownership to make communities across our state safer. Safer TN was founded by neighbors, friends, colleagues and community members who came together with a shared desire for change following the tragic events of March 27, 2023, at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tenn. The organization brings voters and lawmakers together by leading conversations, sharing diverse perspectives and finding commonality to champion the bipartisan change that the majority of Tennessee voters support. Learn more at safertn.org.

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