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

Safer TN Tracker | December 5, 2024

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Hello there!

I’d like to take a moment to formally introduce myself now that I’m two months into the job. I’m Jessica Jaglois, the new Director of Communications at Voices for a Safer Tennessee.

With more than 15 years of experience as a journalist, I’ve reported extensively on the devastating impact firearm tragedies have on families and communities.

One night in particular stands out. After joining WKRN News 2 in Nashville back in 2015, I found myself at the doorstep of a Clarksville home where a 3-year-old boy, visiting with his family, had fatally shot himself with the homeowner’s firearm. It was one of several similar accidental shootings I would cover over the next decade. Tennessee has the third-highest rate of unintentional shootings by children in the U.S.

This is why Safer TN exists: to reduce preventable firearm tragedies through education and policy change. My work in journalism fueled my commitment to advocating for a safer Tennessee, and I’m truly honored to bring that passion to this role.

Sincerely,

Jessica Jaglois
Director of Communications
Voices for a Safer Tennessee

As temperatures drop in Tennessee, and indoor playdates become more common, it’s crucial to talk about firearm safety. Remember to have regular, open conversations with your children about what to do if they ever encounter a firearm.

According to Be Smart for Kids, an organization solely focused on secure storage, keep the language simple–“If you see a gun, don’t touch it. Tell an adult right away”–and to include firearm safety in conversations along with topics like drugs, alcohol, and drunk driving with adolescents. 

For more information, visit the Be Smart tipsheet online. 

It’s equally important to discuss secure storage with other parents, and with friends and relatives your family may be visiting this holiday season, to ensure a safe environment for everyone. 

For example, you could text your child’s parent: “Before I drop my son off, I just wanted to check to see if you have pets? And also ask if you have firearms in your house and confirm how they are stored. I want to make sure he knows your safety rules.”

For more conversation starters, check out this tipsheet from Be Smart.

Make your voice heard by answering a few survey questions!

If you would like to donate to Safer TN, click here to learn more about your donation and send us a gift. Every dollar counts and we thank you for your generosity!

Volunteering is on the rise in Tennessee!

New data reveals that Tennesseans volunteered at a rate higher than the national average: According to an analysis of U.S. Census data, more than a third of Tennesseans reported volunteering through a formal organization at least once between September 2022 and September 2023—the highest rate in the Southeast. While Tennessee sometimes finds itself on lists we’d rather not top—such as having a higher-than-average firearm injury rate—this reminds us why so many of us are proud to call the Volunteer State home!

Our Safer TN volunteers are central to our organization’s success. If you are looking to make a difference, consider donating to or volunteering with Voices for a Safer TN.

Safer TN was busy over the past two weeks! Our friend Becca Wolfenbarger penned an op-ed that ran in the Johnson City Press and Maryville Times last month. Becca shared her story as a former teacher who saw the concern around safety in schools increase after the Columbine school shooting in 1999. Op-eds have the power to challenge perspectives and inspire critical thinking by offering a fresh lens on important issues. They tell stories that resonate with readers, gently encouraging them to consider, “What if there’s another way?” 

We believe there is another way, which is what we shared in a Knoxville friend’s living room on November 20. We can host these small gatherings, or you can, by visiting this link to Facebook. 

In case you missed it, our younger coalition members created a video using a list that Evelyn Dieckhaus had written in her school journal of ways to be kind. Please check it out, and submit your acts of kindness this holiday season!

US Marshals offering reward in Jackson, TN mass shooting that killed a two-year-old (Fox 13 Memphis)

Teen died after shielding his mother, siblings from gunfire (Newschannel 9 Chattanooga)

Juvenile twins charged in shooting that ‘accidentally’ killed Nashville restaurant owner (MNPD)

MNPD officers who stopped Covenant shooter recognized Metro Council (WSMV Nashville)

72 threats reported in Hamilton County schools so far (Newschannel 9 Chattanooga)

In a Deep-Red State, This Lieutenant’s Blueprint for Removing Guns From Abusers Is Spreading (The Trace)

Ways to Be Kind

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Evelyn’s Ways to Be Kind


November 28, 2024

In January 2023, my 9-year-old daughter Evelyn created a list of ways to spread kindness. Tragically, her mission was cut short when a shooter attacked her Nashville elementary school just two months later.

This holiday season, I invite you to honor Evelyn’s vision by choosing one act from her list—because even small gestures can make a big difference in our world.

How to Participate:

  1. Choose one of Evelyn’s acts of kindness to complete with your family, friends, or on your own.
  2. Acts of kindness can transform us in ways we didn’t expect. If you feel comfortable, share a video of your act on social media.
  3. Tag @voices4safertn on Instagram or Voices for a Safer Tennessee on Facebook, and use #EvelynsKindnessMission to inspire others.

Together, let’s create a ripple of kindness that reaches far and wide.

Nicole’s Story

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I was at work on March 27, 2023, when news of the tragic shooting at The Covenant School began to break. Questions tumbled with every update: A shooter. Where? At an elementary school. Is it my child’s school? Students were shot. Is my child safe? 

It wasn’t the first time I had asked questions like these.

My husband, George, is a survivor of a firearm injury. At a party when he was attending college in Nashville, he was shot by someone who shouldn’t have been there or had a gun. Two men were later arrested, charged, and sentenced for the crime, but the memory of being woken up by a friend’s call telling me George had been shot still haunts me. The bullet remains in his arm because removing it was deemed too risky– a constant reminder of that night.

Nearly two decades later, my husband and I made the difficult decision to tell our then 7-year-old son what had happened at Covenant. It was quite possibly the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I still remember the look on his face—it was like his innocence left his body.

At that very moment, I knew I had to act. I had to channel years of grief and numbness over firearm tragedies into trying to make meaningful change.

In the days following Covenant, I joined friends and fellow moms to found Voices for a Safer Tennessee. We are Tennesseans solving challenges specific to Tennessee by tackling firearm safety through education, advocacy, data tracking, and research.

DONATE EARLY

Thanks to you, our generous coalition, we are making incremental, meaningful progress. Safer TN helped pass some of the first firearm safety policies in Tennessee in nearly a decade during the last legislative session.

And we are continuing to build momentum. This Giving Tuesday, Dec 3., if you’re moved to make a difference, please consider donating to our mission. Your donation will help our efforts to educate, collaborate, and advocate alongside thousands of Tennesseans regardless of background, political affiliation or any other difference between us.  

If you want safer communities, and a safer future for our children, then we’re on the same side. Join us in creating a safer Tennessee.

With gratitude,

Nicole Floyd Smith
Board Vice Chair and Founding Member
Voices for a Safer Tennessee

Safer TN Tracker | November 15, 2024

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Safer TN is celebrating the progress we achieved together in the last legislative session. Thanks to your partnership, we’ve reached meaningful milestones in advancing firearm safety:

  • Passed a new law preventing firearm purchases for 18-25-year-olds with violent juvenile records or mental health adjudications.
  • Secured funding to process a 761,000-record backlog in Tennessee’s background check system.
  • Blocked dangerous legislation allowing loaded long guns in public spaces.
  • Passed Jillian’s Law, honoring Belmont student Jillian Ludwig, to restrict firearm access for those found mentally incompetent to stand trial.

These accomplishments are vital steps toward a safer Tennessee, made possible by your unwavering support. Looking ahead to 2025, we’re eager to build on this momentum with creative, Tennessee-based solutions to promote secure firearm storage, positively incentivize more background checks, and advocate for comprehensive data on firearm-related injuries.

We’re just getting started, and with you by our side, we’re confident we can achieve meaningful change. Thank you for standing with us!

Sincerely, 

Claudia Huskey
Safer TN Executive Director 

Junior League of Memphis hosts Safer TN on October 2

Safer TN had the privilege of presenting at the Junior League of Memphis, speaking to over 200 women about the critical intersection of firearm safety, community well-being, and women’s health. This important discussion highlighted the pressing need for firearm policies that not only protect our communities but also address the unique challenges women face when it comes to gun violence and safety.

Leadership Nashville presentation on November 7

Safer TN Executive Director Claudia Huskey spoke to the 2024 Class of Leadership Nashville during their Government and Media Day at the State Capitol. In a conversation with David Plazas of The Tennessean, Claudia shared Safer TN’s key policy priorities and discussed how we can create safer communities through firearm safety education and advocacy. It was a great opportunity to connect with community leaders and highlight the important work we’re doing to make Tennessee safer for everyone.

Safer TN speaks with the Sumner County League of Women Voters on November 9

We were honored to speak with the Sumner County League of Women Voters at the Hendersonville Library this weekend. Our Policy Director, Erin Rogus, reminded us that lasting change takes time. It took seven years to bring wine to Tennessee grocery stores! But with your support, we are making steady progress toward our larger goals. 

Want to bring this message to your community? Email us at info@safertn.org.

Is your county blue on the map? That means we don’t yet have a car magnet or yard sign in your area—but you can change that by purchasing an item today! We’re also offering free stickers and have already received 50 requests from communities like Brentwood, Germantown, Johnson City, Kingsport, Murfreesboro, Signal Mountain, and more. Reach out, and we’ll send you a free item to show your support.

If you’re looking for more ways to get involved with Safer TN, and aren’t sure where to start, consider hosting an educational gathering, inviting us to speak at your local club or civic organization, or volunteering as a county champion. There are many ways you can help, and you can find out more here.

As November 11 was Veterans Day, we want to take a moment to highlight the critical issue of disproportionate impact of firearm injuries on our former military population.

  • Veterans are 1.4 times more likely than the general population to die by suicide, and a significant percentage of those deaths involve firearms. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 70% of veteran suicides are firearm-related.
  • Many veterans struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions, which can increase the risk of self-harm or suicide involving firearms.
  • Creating a safe pause during moments of mental health crisis can reduce suicide risk and save lives. One way to achieve this is by securely storing firearms in a location that requires extra time and effort to access, such as a locked storage facility. Ensuring firearms are unloaded and stored separately from ammunition adds another layer of safety. Additionally, placing photos of loved ones in these storage spaces can serve as a powerful reminder that support and connection are within reach, and helps individuals remember they are valued and needed.

As we continue to advocate for policies that support firearm safety, it is crucial to consider the unique challenges veterans face in relation to firearm access and mental health. Together, we can work toward solutions that help prevent further tragedies.

From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: If you’re a veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7 confidential support. You don’t have to be enrolled in V.A. benefits or healthcare to connect. To reach responders, dial 988, then press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.

According to an analysis by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, after accounting for age differences, the veteran suicide rate in Tennessee: 

  • Was significantly higher than the national veteran suicide rate. 
  • Was significantly higher than the national general population suicide rate.

Tragically, a firearm is used in 4 out of 5 veteran suicides in Tennessee.

Man shoots an officer during a domestic violence call (WSMV Nashville) 

Memphis votes for gun control measures that are only “symbolic” (Action News 5, Memphis) 

MNPD requests SROs for every Nashville elementary school (Newschannel 5, Nashville) 

Teen facing attempted murder charge in East Knoxville shooting taken into custody (WATE 6 On Your Side)

DONATE

Safer TN Tracker | November 1, 2024

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With Election Day right around the corner, I’m reaching out to urge you to vote if you haven’t already. The only way to make our voices heard during any election cycle is through the ballot box. If you’re unhappy with the state’s direction, voting is your chance to push for change. If you support the current trajectory, voting helps reinforce it. As election margins grow tighter, politicians pay close attention to why they’ve lost or gained votes. 

While there is work to do with lawmakers at the State House, at the end of the day, they care about what their local constituents think. Tennessee currently has the lowest voter turnout in the nation. In our August primaries, less than 14% of registered voters turned out to vote – and we had five state legislative races decided by less than 200 votes. We are not just deciding our next president in this election. In this cycle we are electing all 99 State House Members and 16 of our 33 State Senators. The down-ballot races matter more than ever to the future of policy in our state. Of all the ways you can participate in the democratic process, none is more impactful than voting. 

Since the Covenant tragedy, we’ve made strides in advancing firearm safety policies. We hope that after the election, political rhetoric will calm, allowing us to make even more progress both in our local communities and at the capitol. We know there’s still work to do, but we’re committed to making Tennessee a safer place, step by step.

Todd Cruse, Safer TN Board Chair

Looking back: Gun Policy Panel Discussion at Belmont University on October 23

Safer TN was honored to be invited by Belmont University to address the urgent and complex issues surrounding firearm safety policies, Second Amendment rights, and community safety. Our Board Chair, Todd Cruse, emphasized the critical importance of relying on accurate data to guide decision-making around firearm safety policies.

The panel drew a crowd of over 70 attendees including students, community members and lawmakers, and garnered local news coverage. Watch the news piece below.

Safer TN Men’s Coalition Lunch & Learn on October 22 

Our coalition of concerned fathers, grandfathers, veterans and business leaders gathered at Woodmont Christian Church in Nashville to hear Katy Dieckhaus share the story of her daughter, Evelyn, her tragic loss and the reasons she remains hopeful for meaningful change in the future. 

The event served as a space for reflection and a call to action with Safer TN’s Policy Director, Erin Rogus, providing an in-depth overview of the previous legislative session and where the movement is going in 2025.

Early voting is over. Turnout numbers reveal Tennesseans need to show up for Election Day! 

Early voting ended on October 31. The next and final opportunity to vote is just around the corner – Tuesday, November 5. 

The latest data from the Secretary of State indicates Tennessee voter turnout is STILL below 2020 levels. But we can change this!  Find polling locations for Election Day voting here, and use our voter tool to research the candidates on your ballot to make informed choices. As a reminder, all 99 state representatives and 16 of the 33 state senators are up for election.

Safer tn voter tool

Early voter turnout by county:

If you are voting by absentee ballot, act now! Your ballot must be mailed, with postage, in time for your county election commission to receive it by the close of polls on Election Day. Remember, ballots can only be returned by mail (USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.). Hand delivery or giving it to a poll worker during early voting or on Election Day isn’t permitted. Please note that the deadline to request an absentee ballot has already passed. Ensure your vote counts by mailing your ballot today or voting in person on Nov. 5!

Join Us Tonight at First Fridays in Columbia!

Experience the heart of community at First Fridays in downtown Columbia from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. tonight! Be one of the first five people to check in at the Safer TN Pop-Up to snag a free Safer TN yard sign (normally $25 with a donation). We’ll also have additional signs, car magnets, and free buttons available! More info and signup here.

#RunForAlyssa

Alyssa Lokits was a cherished family member, friend, runner, and valued member of the community. She held a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Vanderbilt University and was part of a large family, with eight siblings and many extended relatives. Tragically, Alyssa was shot and killed during an attempted assault while jogging on the Mill Creek Greenway Trail in Antioch, Tenn., on Oct. 14. Our policy director, along with many who loved her and were affected by her untimely death, took time to run in her honor. 

If you can, we encourage you to #RunForAlyssa this week, or join hundreds of others planning to #RunForAlyssa on Monday, Nov. 4 at 5 p.m., in any time zone, any location. Share your participation on social media, and use the hashtag to raise awareness about Alyssa’s story and the need for a safer Tennessee.

Mass Shooting  Leads to Policy Change in Maine

Oct. 25, 2024, marked one year since the tragic mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, where 18 people were killed at a local bowling alley and bar. Thirteen others were injured.

In response to the tragedy, the Maine Legislature passed  a package of firearm safety laws, including a near-universal background check system that requires background checks on all advertised private sales. That means people who advertise a gun for sale online, including Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, must initiate a background check before they transfer the firearm. Safer TN supports this smart approach to expanding background checks. 

New Tennessee Firearm Death Data 

The Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Prevention just released its analysis of the CDC’s recently finalized 2022 data, which provided state-specific firearm death information. 

Key takeaways in Tennessee:

  • The overall Tennessee gun death rate increased 33% from 2013 to 2022.  
  • Tennessee had the 10th-highest gun death rate in the country in 2022.  
  • Firearms were the leading cause of death among children and teens ages 1-17 in 2022.  
  • In 2021, there were at least 150 domestic violence-related homicides in Tennessee; 75% were by firearm.

Read all the Tennessee stats here.

Safer TN is Continuing to Grow Statewide! 
We have coalition members in all 95 counties, and now are working on spreading the message further by getting yard signs and car magnets in every county as well. Don’t see your county on the map yet in red? Help us change that by ordering a car magnet or yard sign today. Bonus points for sending us a photo of your swag on your car or in your yard at info@safertn.org. If we use your photo on our social media, we’ll blur out any identifying details like your license plate number.

A growing trend: How Tennessee compares to other states with unintentional child shootings (The Tennessean; subscription)

Alyssa Lokits had a Ph.D, worked in tech, and was a dedicated runner (Runner’s World)

Community reacts to TSU homecoming shooting (Fox 17 Nashville)

Med student allegedly killed by ex-boyfriend after breast cancer charity walk (People)

A Gun Law the NRA Opposes Could Have Saved Its Employee’s Life (The Trace)