Voices for a Safer Tennessee

Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN) advocates for firearm safety policies and programs that both protect our communities and respect the Second Amendment.

Safer TN Tracker

Safer TN Tracker | 2.24.26

· ·

Tennessee ranks third in the nation for accidental shootings by children. These are incidents in which a child gains access to a loaded firearm and unintentionally shoots themselves or someone else. Over the past two weeks alone, multiple incidents involving children accessing unsecured guns have made headlines, underscoring the urgent importance of secure storage.

Safer TN will soon launch a section on our website outlining the bills we support, oppose, and are monitoring. Because legislation can change significantly through amendments, we will notify you as soon as the tracker is live and will continue to provide updates as bills evolve. These stories, and more, are what we’re tracking this week.

#1 What We’re Tracking: Legislative Update — Major Firearm Bills Delayed, Amendments Expected

From Safer TN Policy Advisor Jennifer Hellmer

Several bills Safer TN is tracking were scheduled for committee hearings last week; however, most were deferred to a later date. We also reviewed newly drafted amendments and anticipate that additional amendments will be introduced in the coming weeks. Amendments can range from technical corrections to substantial rewrites that significantly alter a bill’s scope and intent.

Of particular note, HB 2064, which received media coverage, was deferred to March 4 in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. The bill proposes multiple changes to existing firearms statutes, including a provision that would allow individuals convicted of stalking and misdemeanor domestic violence offenses to have their firearm rights restored after five years. We anticipate that an amendment may be filed and will continue to closely monitor the bill’s progress.

This week, the House is focused on budget matters, with no additional committee hearings scheduled, allowing members to concentrate on fiscal priorities. The Senate, however, continues to meet in committee. We will share any updates as they become available.

#2 What We’re Tracking:  Shootings Across the State Highlight Tennessee’s Ongoing Challenge

a young girl looks in a drawer

The past two weeks have brought heartbreaking news across Tennessee. From an accidental shooting in East Tennessee that claimed the life of an 8-year-old to a loaded gun found in a Middle Tennessee middle school student’s backpack, one issue connects both incidents: secure storage.

Secure storage means firearms are unloaded, locked, and stored separately from ammunition.

It’s also important to remember that when your child goes to a friend’s house — or when your child is babysitting — it’s okay to ask whether firearms are present and how they are stored. These conversations can feel uncomfortable, but they save lives.

We have tools and conversation guides on our website to help you start that discussion. You can find those resources here.

#3 What We’re Tracking: Did You Know? Rural Residents Are More Vulnerable to Firearm Death

Suicide Geography Map

Rural Tennesseans are more likely to die by firearm than residents in metro areas. While cities may experience a higher total number of shootings, the rate of firearm death — meaning the statistical likelihood of dying by firearm — is higher in rural communities.

This disparity is largely driven by higher rates of firearm suicide and more limited access to immediate trauma care and medical infrastructure. In Tennessee, rural residents die by suicide at a rate 1.2 times higher than those living in metro areas, with East Tennessee experiencing the highest rates in the state.

Understanding where risk is highest helps us focus prevention efforts where they are most urgently needed. In fact, the Tennessee Department of Health has recommended that state agencies and local organizations partner with Safer TN because of our nonpartisan, safety-focused approach to firearm education and prevention.

#4 What We’re Tracking: New On Our Event List: Old Crow Medicine Show

Safer TN has just secured a table at the Old Crow Medicine Show concert at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville on March 20. 

We’ll be there with firearm safety resources and free cable locks. We’re grateful to Safer TN Advisory Board Member Ketch Secor for the invitation and are excited to connect with East Tennesseans at this iconic venue.

Other upcoming events include:

What We're Clicking Section Header

Safer TN Tracker | 2.9.26

· ·

We hope your family is recovering from Winter Storm Fern. While much of the state was spared from widespread outages, some residents in Middle Tennessee are still without power. We are thinking of those continuing to deal with debris, downed lines, and the storm’s aftermath.

Lawmakers returned to the state Capitol last week. In this Tracker, we cover their return, introduce a new team member, and share a few upcoming ways to get involved with our organization.

Thank you to the nearly 300 supporters who completed our communications survey! Based on your feedback, The Tracker will arrive Tuesday mornings starting with the February 23 issue.

#1 What We’re Tracking: The Bill Filing Deadline Has Passed. Now What?

From Safer TN Policy Advisor Jennifer Hellmer

The legislature returned last week and the bill filing deadline has now passed. Our policy team is actively reviewing all legislation connected to Safer TN’s priorities. We look forward to sharing a list of bills we’re tracking in the coming weeks, along with a dedicated section on our website where you can follow legislative developments.

Something to note: our review list will likely evolve throughout the session. Bills are often amended in ways that can significantly change their impact on community safety. Among the topics we’re reviewing: property owners’ rights related to firearms, secure storage policies, and proposed changes to Tennessee’s firearm permitting laws.

The General Assembly operates on a two-year cycle, with sessions beginning in January and typically running through April or May. We are now in year two of the 114th General Assembly. Some bills are carryovers from 2025, while many others are newly introduced.

#2 What We’re Tracking: Meet Lauren – Our New Voice for West Tennessee

Lauren Fortenberry
Lauren Fortenberry

We are thrilled to introduce Safer TN’s newest team member, West Coalition Coordinator Lauren Fortenberry!

A Trenton native, Lauren understands the heartbeat of West Tennessee. She grew up in a family of outdoorsmen and agricultural leaders, giving her a unique, grounded perspective on our mission to promote firearm safety.

Lauren joins us from the nonprofit sector, where she managed membership, led community engagement, and coordinated events for the Mississippi Poultry Association. Throughout her career, she has focused on building bridges and expanding educational opportunities.

“I am excited to draw from my Tennessee roots and nonprofit experience to advocate, educate, and help build safer communities in West Tennessee,” says Lauren.

Lauren will focus on strengthening community partnerships and ensuring our resources reach every corner of the region. A Mississippi State alumna, she lives in her hometown of Trenton with her husband, their son Louie, and their two Scottish Terriers, Emma and Angus. Please join us in welcoming her to the Safer TN family!

#3 What We’re Tracking: On the Road, Plus Volunteer Opportunities!

Even through winter weather, Safer TN has continued to travel across the state to share resources and connect with communities about firearm safety. Last week, we attended the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association Conference.

Connecting with law enforcement is essential to our work. Sheriffs and deputies are on the front lines and bring valuable insight into safe firearm use, secure storage, and community education. Many expressed interest in continuing to partner with us on efforts to prevent firearm tragedies and improve public communication around safety. We also want to congratulate the winner of our gun safe drawing, Robertson County Sheriff Mike Van Dyke.

Upcoming events include:

#4 What We’re Tracking: Did You Know? — Tennessee By The Numbers

Tennessee tops several lists no state wants to appear on, including:

  • There have been more than 100 mass shootings in the state over the past five years — roughly one every other week.
  • Tennessee leads the nation in firearms stolen from vehicles.
  • We rank third in the U.S. for unintentional shootings by children, and most victims are themselves children.
  • Tennessee is in the top 10 nationwide for firearm homicides.
  • Our firearm suicide rate is 50% higher than the U.S. average, with rural Tennesseans most impacted. Our veteran suicide rate is 34% higher than the national average.

What helps reduce risk?

Secure storage. More than half of firearms in homes with children are not stored securely. Research shows most children know where firearms are kept, and many school shootings involving minors involve guns taken from relatives’ or friends’ homes. Encouraging secure storage is one of the most effective ways to prevent accidental shootings, theft, and suicide. Read more on our Resources page here.

What We're Clicking Section Header

Safer TN Tracker | 1.26.26

· ·

We hope you and your loved ones are safe and warm as Winter Storm Fern continues to impact our state. The storm has proven deadly in some areas, so please continue to follow guidance from local officials and news outlets on how to stay safe.

As many businesses and school systems have closed for the beginning of the week, the 114th General Assembly is also delayed. That’s just one of the developments we’re tracking right now.

We also want to hear from you! Our one-minute communications survey closes at midnight tonight. Please share your feedback to help shape our updates, and we’ll send you a free bumper sticker as a thank you.

1-What We’re Tracking:  Winter Weather, the Capitol, and a Staff Update

Safer TN Policy Advisor Jennifer Hellmer

Jennifer is an attorney and Tennessee native with years of experience in criminal defense and corporate law. Following her firsthand experience near The Covenant School on March 27, 2023, and driven by her commitment to community safety, she helped found our organization and has supported our policy work since the beginning. As Policy Advisor, she will now help lead our legislative strategy.

We will soon share an easy way to track bills, get legislative updates, and learn how you can take action in your community, so stay tuned.

2-What We’re Tracking: A Delivery to the State Legislature

Last week, a dedicated group of Safer TN volunteers visited the Cordell Hull Office Building to deliver our annual report and “welcome” cookies to Tennessee legislators and staff.

These professionals took time out of their workday to participate in this outreach. The goal was simple: to demonstrate that we want to work together on firearm safety. Safer TN’s values — collaborative, purpose-driven, and respectful — helped guide this approach.

You can read our 2025 annual report, which is now available on our website. It highlights what we accomplished together last year and outlines our priorities for the year ahead. We look forward to working with lawmakers on policies that reduce preventable firearm tragedies while respecting constitutional rights. We appreciate the legislators and staff who took the time to meet with our volunteers.

3-What We’re Tracking:  One year since the Antioch shooting

On Thursday, January 22, 2025, a troubled teenager gained access to an unsecured firearm and brought it into the Antioch High School cafeteria. After the gun wasn’t detected by the school’s weapons detection system, the student opened fire, killing his 16-year-old classmate, Josselin Corea Escalante, then turned the gun on himself. We later learned more about Josselin, and the violence she and her family had fled in their native Guatemala, only for her life to be taken while at school. Shortly thereafter, Safer TN helped organize a Valentine-making event to help bring a little light to those who were traumatized by this devastating event.

In the year since, details have emerged about the shooter and the firearm. But one news piece, reported by WSMV, points out that there has been a school-related firearm incident every month since the Antioch High School shooting. Nearly each of these incidents could have been prevented through secure storage. 

Secure storage — in a home or vehicle — is the easiest way to stop unauthorized access. It’s why we give away cable locks and gun safes: we want people to know there are secure storage options that keep unintended users safe, while also providing easy access for the firearm owner.

You can find resources about how to talk to others about secure storage on our website at this link. With these cold winter months and more people staying inside, these resources can help prevent tragic accidents.

4-What We’re Tracking: Tales from the Road From Coalition
Coordinator Nycole Gentry

Spending time in communities across East Tennessee has reminded me how personal conversations about firearms can be. I grew up in Mississippi, where my family hunted, so firearms were familiar to me.

When we show up to events to talk about firearm safety, people bring their own experiences, assumptions, and sometimes a sense of defensiveness with them.

At a recent event, a man approached our table unsure and guarded about what we were there to do. As we talked, I shared that Voices for a Safer Tennessee is a nonpartisan organization focused on education and preventing firearm tragedies, not politics or taking sides. Almost immediately, his posture changed. He shared that he appreciated knowing our work was not about labels or agendas, but about keeping families and communities safe.

Moments like this stay with me. They are reminders that this work begins with listening and meeting people where they are, and that these small, human interactions are why showing up in our communities is always worth it.

What We're Clicking Section Header

Safer TN Tracker | 1.12.26

· ·

We hope you enjoyed the holidays and had time to rest and reset. The Safer TN team took a much-needed pause before hitting the ground running in the new year. Our first order of business is hearing from you! Please take our one-minute communications survey to help us deliver updates, news, and other information the way you want. As a thank-you, we’ll send you an optional free bumper sticker. Now – here’s what we’re tracking.

1-2025 Tennessee Child Fatality Report

Data graphic of the 2025 firearm-related fatality report

The newly released 2025 Tennessee Child Fatality Report (reviewing 2023 data) presents a sobering reality. Tennessee’s child fatality rate is 39.1% higher than the national average, the largest gap our state has seen in five years. Even more heartbreaking is that local review teams deemed nearly 60% of these deaths as probably preventable. That figure is even higher when it comes to firearm-related deaths, of which 92.6% were considered preventable.

Key findings from the report:

  • Firearms are the leading threat: According to the report, firearms remain the top non-medical cause of death for Tennessee children. Our state’s firearm-related death rate is 64.9% higher than the national average.
  • Surge in homicides: Since 2019, the child homicide rate in Tennessee has skyrocketed by 91.7%. Shockingly, 89% of these homicides involved a firearm.
  • Deepening disparities: The death rate for Black children in Tennessee is now more than double the rate for white children.

In response to these rising trends, the State Child Fatality Review Team has issued formal recommendations to guide prevention efforts. Notably, the State explicitly recommends that organizations and communities “actively promote and encourage participation in firearm safety initiatives like Voices for a Safer Tennessee.” 

As an official partner in the state’s strategy to reduce intentional violence, we are more committed than ever to our mission.

2-What We’re Tracking: Legislative Session Starts Soon, What To Expect

Tennessee’s 114th General Assembly convenes on January 12 at noon. Most of the bills we monitor won’t be heard until later in the session, so until then, we’ll keep sending The Tracker every other week. Once the General Assembly begins to take up firearm-related legislation, we’ll send The Tracker weekly, and we’ll also send special legislative update editions as important information develops. For real-time updates, follow our Instagram and Facebook stories.

3-What We’re Tracking: New Safer TN Interns and Staff

Cannon Jones
Kate Correnti
Alexis Cuban
Dabney Reed

Cannon Jones, Kate Correnti, Alexis Cuban, Dabney Reed

Over the holiday break, we officially welcomed Safer TN’s first Director of Advancement and three new spring semester interns from Vanderbilt University. Together, they will help grow our impact, influence, and infrastructure across Tennessee.

Cannon Jones, Director of Advancement

As a Sandy Hook Elementary alumna, firearm safety is deeply personal to Cannon Jones and central to her work. With over a decade of nonprofit leadership experience, including leading a $25-million capital campaign, Cannon brings a strategic, relationship-driven approach to advancing Safer TN’s mission. She holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of Vermont. With strong Tennessee family roots, she is proud to now call Nashville home.

Kate Correnti

Kate is studying Political Science and Human and Organizational Development. Originally from Nashville, she is excited to apply her academic interests to make a positive impact in her home community.

Alexis Cuban

Alexis is majoring in Human and Organizational Development with a minor in Business. Originally from Dallas, she has a strong interest in understanding how communities can reduce harm while navigating deeply rooted gun cultures. Her perspective is shaped by the loss of a family member and a friend to firearm tragedies, which informs her commitment to her work.

Dabney Reed

Dabney is studying Human and Organizational Development with a minor in Political Science. She is passionate about Voices for a Safer Tennessee’s mission and eager to contribute meaningfully to Nashville and the wider Tennessee community during her final year at Vanderbilt.

4-What We’re Tracking: Firearm Tragedies Over the Holidays

Vanderbilt University senior and firearm violence victim, Abubacarr Darboe

A personal perspective from Alexis Cuban, Safer TN intern

Firearm violence does not pause for holidays or milestones. This became devastatingly clear over the break.

A two-year-old was treated at Erlanger Children’s Hospital in Chattanooga after shooting himself with his father’s handgun. An 11-year-old girl in Knoxville also gained access to a firearm and unintentionally shot herself. She did not survive. In rural Middle Tennessee, a woman and three family members, including two children, were found dead in a firearm murder-suicide. 

Another victim was my friend Abubacarr “Buba” Darboe, who was killed while visiting his family during winter break. He was 22 years old and one semester away from graduating from Vanderbilt University.

His absence is felt by those who knew him in many different ways. I notice it in rooms where we once shared meals, and in the memory of him showing up at my door on my birthday with blue balloons. His fraternity brother described to me how Buba consistently made sure people felt included and taken care of, a reflection of his genuine and natural empathy.

Firearm tragedies are often framed with a defined radius of harm. In reality, each one sends ripples outward, reshaping families, campuses, and communities in lasting ways. Buba’s life and loss are a reminder that preventing firearm tragedies is about protecting futures and the everyday moments that bind people together.

5-What We’re Tracking: Erlanger Cable Lock Rollout, By Emily Holden, Southeast Tennessee Coalition Coordinator

Hi everyone! Emily Holden here, writing from Chattanooga.

I want to let you know Safer TN has partnered with Erlanger Children’s Hospital to begin distributing free firearm cable locks to the families of every newborn delivered at the Erlanger Baroness and Erlanger East hospital locations. In addition to the cable locks, free firearm safety materials will be distributed to include Tennessee-specific firearm statistics related to children with a clear firearm safety checklist.

Dr. Dave Bhattacharya, a pediatric surgeon at Erlanger and Safer TN board member, recently discussed the initiative in a local TV interview.

Launching in February 2026, this program will capitalize on the Chattanooga Early Learning Center’s backpack program, which creates a comprehensive, life-saving resource for families from day one.

Safer TN Tracker | 12.15.25

· ·

Thank you for subscribing to and reading our newsletter in 2025. Our open rates for The Tracker continue to exceed the nonprofit average, and we’re grateful for your engagement and trust. As we look ahead, we want to make sure we’re delivering information that’s most useful to you. In the new year, keep an eye out for a short survey about The Tracker and the firearm safety information we share – we’d love your feedback. Until then, we wish you a safe, restful holiday season and a happy New Year. As we head into 2026, here’s a look at what we’re tracking, and what we’ve accomplished this year.

1-What We’re Tracking: Year in Review

WATCH: Safer TN’s Year in Review video from Giving Tuessday

2025 was an extraordinary year for our work. Together, we celebrated legislative progress, launched statewide billboard and radio campaigns focused on secure firearm storage, and expanded into two distinct organizational arms to strengthen our mission. We also grew by thousands of members and have raised millions of dollars since our founding – a testament to how deeply Tennesseans care about this work and its staying power.

You’ll be able to dive deeper into these milestones when our annual report is released in January. We also have exciting initiatives planned for 2026 that continue our focus on building safer communities, one step at a time. In the meantime, we invite you to watch our Year in Review video, which we made for Giving Tuesday, along with additional videos on our YouTube page that highlight our impact.

2-What We’re Tracking: Secure Firearm Storage During School Breaks 

Boy (4-6 years old) reaching up to a bedroom drawer that contains a gun

As we head into a season when kids are out of school, routines shift, parents are often juggling more, and families spend more time visiting friends and relatives, the risk of accidental shootings rises. Research consistently shows that many unintentional firearm injuries involving children happen in familiar places – most often in homes – when a gun is unsecured and a moment of distraction is enough for tragedy to occur.

The good news is that these incidents are highly preventable. Secure firearm storage – keeping firearms locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition – significantly reduces the risk of accidental injury, suicide, and theft. Just as important is having clear, respectful conversations with family members, caregivers, and other parents about whether firearms are present in the home and how they’re stored. Asking these questions can feel uncomfortable, but it’s a critical step in keeping kids safe.

Safer TN offers practical tools to help. On our website, you’ll find guidance on secure storage best practices, tips for starting storage conversations with other adults, and information on how to access free cable locks. Learn more and get the resources you need to protect your family and your community here.

3-What We’re Tracking: Why Treating Firearm Violence as a Public Health Issue Could Lead to Solutions

video thumbnail linking to Safer TN healthcare leaders discussing firearm deaths

WATCH: Safer TN healthcare leaders on firearm injuries as a public health crisis.

In a recent Yale News interview, Dr. Megan Ranney, dean of the Yale School of Public Health, makes the case for treating firearm injury as a public health issue rather than a purely political or criminal justice one. Drawing from her experience as an emergency physician, Ranney explains how preventable firearm injuries mirror other public health crises like car crashes or opioid overdoses.

A public health framework focuses on measuring the scope of the problem, identifying risk and protective factors, testing interventions, and scaling what works. This approach expands solutions beyond legislation alone to include secure storage, mental health supports, and community-based strategies. By centering health, data, and community collaboration, Ranney argues, we can reduce firearm injuries while finding common ground across political and cultural divides.

In case you missed it, two Safer TN healthcare leaders recently had a conversation about why firearm injuries are a public safety issue, and why our work is more important than ever.

4-What We’re Tracking: New Resource Helps Doctors Talk About Firearm Safety

a doctor visits with a patient

The American Medical Association (AMA) has teamed up with the Ad Council and other health leaders to launch a new hub that gives physicians tools to counsel patients on firearm safety. The hub includes videos, fact sheets, conversation guides, and other resources to help doctors discuss the risks of unsecured firearms and best practices for reducing injuries and deaths.

The initiative is part of the AMA’s public health approach to firearm injury, recognizing that firearms are a leading cause of death for children in the U.S. Research shows that patients are more likely to adopt secure storage practices when their physicians bring up firearm safety — yet most adults (86%) report never having such a conversation. By equipping health professionals with evidence-based tools, the AMA hopes to normalize these lifesaving discussions as part of routine care, just like car seat or pool safety counseling.

5-What We’re Tracking: Tennessee’s Updated Violent Death Reporting System

The Tennessee Department of Health announced last week that it has updated its Violent Death Reporting System (TNVDRS) website with 2023 data.

The data show that both homicides and suicides increased gradually between 2020 and 2023, with firearms involved in the majority of cases. Homicides occurred most often in urban areas while suicides, by contrast, were more common in rural communities. As illustrated in the updated reports, homicide rates were higher than suicide rates among those under 25; for all other age groups, suicide rates exceeded homicide rates.