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 | 4.23.26

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This week began with devastating news: a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, claimed the lives of eight children and left two others critically injured. Family members of the gunman have since shared that he had struggled with mental health challenges and had recently expressed suicidal thoughts, a painful reminder that warning signs often precede tragedy.

This is exactly why we do this work. Pragmatic firearm safety policies, like temporary transfer laws, exist to create a pathway for action when those warning signs appear. These laws provide a mechanism to temporarily limit access to weapons for individuals who are known to be a danger to themselves or others, without permanently stripping anyone of their rights.

The need for such policies could not be more urgent here in Tennessee. Firearms are now the leading cause of death among children and teens in our state. Both homicides and suicides involving firearms are increasing, and the overall rate of firearm deaths, for children and adults alike, has risen 62 percent over the last decade. That is not a statistic we can accept. Laws that balance individual rights with meaningful public safety measures would save lives, and that is why we will keep advocating for them.

#1 What We’re Tracking: Save the Date: Data Dashboard Webinar – May 14

A landmark partnership between Safer TN and the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has produced an interactive dashboard revealing the staggering toll of firearm injuries and deaths in the state. 

Join Matt Harris, Ph.D., the Boyd Distinguished Professor of Health Economics at the Boyd Center and co-creator of the dashboard, and Erin Rogus, Safer TN board member, for an interactive webinar session exploring this important research and what it means for Tennesseans. 

Registration information to come.

#2 What We’re Tracking: You’re Invited: “Louder Than Guns” Panel and Screening

Ketch Secor at a Safer TN Event
Ketch Secor at a Safer TN Event

What: You are invited to a special viewing of “Louder Than Guns,” a documentary executive produced by Safer TN advisory board member Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show, with a pre-screening panel discussion. 

When: Monday, May 11 at 8:00 p.m.

Where: Belcourt Theater, 2102 Belcourt Avenue Nashville TN 37212

Who: The panel discussion will feature:

  • Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show and executive producer of “Louder Than Guns”
  • Katy Dieckhaus, community engagement coordinator for Safer TN, whose daughter Evelyn died in the Covenant School shooting
  • Clay Stauffer, senior minister, Woodmont Christian Church, and author of “What the World Needs Now: Virtue and Character in an Age of Chaos”
  • Blake Farmer (moderator), host of Nashville Public Radio’s “This is Nashville”

Doug Pray, “Louder Than Guns” director, and David Greene, host of KCRW’s “Left, Right and Center” and former host of NPR’s “Morning Edition,” will also be in attendance.

purchase tickets now

#3 What We’re Tracking: Stories from the Road

I met so many wonderful people at Mule Day in Columbia last week, and I was reminded why these conversations matter so much. A father stopped by our booth with his young son, and as we discussed secure storage, he confidently told me his firearm was well hidden. His son quickly chimed in, “I know where it is, Dad. It’s in your drawer.” The father was stunned and replied, “Well, you’re not supposed to be going through my drawer.” 

That moment opened the door to an important conversation. Hidden is not the same as secure. Situations like this are more common than many people realize, and they underscore why our work is so critical. By meeting people where they are, having honest conversations, and sharing practical safety solutions, we can help prevent tragedies.

– Katy Dieckhaus, Safer TN Community Engagement Coordinator

Images from Safer TN's attendance at the 2026 Mule Day in Columbia

Upcoming community events:

April 25: Tennessee Apple Festival, Murfreesboro
April 25: Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women Baby Fair, Memphis
April 25: Spring Around the Square, Decatur
May 2: Teapot Parade, Trenton
May 5: TN Iris Festival Parade, Dresden
May 7: 48th Annual Poke Sallet Festival, Gainesboro and Whitleyville
May 8: Tennessee Strawberry Festival, Dayton
May 16: Middle TN Cornbread Festival & Car Show, Smithville
May 23: Murfreesboro Strawberry Festival, Murfreesboro
May 29: CASA Rodeo, Jasper

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Safer TN Tracker | 4.8.26

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This week, we’re tracking legislative developments at the capitol, mounting evidence of the urgent need for secure firearm storage practices in our state, and growing statewide momentum around gun safety engagement.

#1 What We’re Tracking: Safer TN Hosts Legislators at the Capitol

Recently, Safer TN hosted Tennessee legislators and members of their staff for breakfast and meaningful conversation before a busy day at the Capitol. This gathering offered an opportunity to showcase our new data dashboard, a research tool that measures the staggering toll of firearm injuries and deaths in the state, developed in collaboration with The Boyd Center at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. 

A big thank you to Hattie B’s for providing delicious food for the gathering!

We’re grateful to the legislators who stopped by, in addition to our board members and dedicated volunteers who joined us. These connections are vital to the important work ahead.

#2 What We’re Tracking: Safer TN Bill Monitoring

TN Capitol Building

We are nearing the end of the legislative session and anticipate the General Assembly will adjourn this month. Currently, many bills are still moving through the legislative process.

Below is a snapshot of the current status of the bills Safer TN has been tracking this session. Please note that bill status is subject to change. Safer TN will continue to monitor all legislation closely until adjournment.  Please visit the advocacy section of our website for additional information on each of these bills.

Passed:

  • HB2588 / SB2369 (Support) has passed and been signed into law by Governor Lee. 

Passed out of committee and pending floor votes:

  • HB1757 / SB1747 (Support)
  • HB1802 / SB1847 (Monitor)
  • HB2376 / SB2352 (Monitor)  
  • HB1900 / SB2145 (Monitor)

Presently placed behind the budget (subject to change):

  • HB2253 / SB2465 (Support)
  • HB1505 / SB1776 (Monitor)

Facing procedural hurdles:

  • HB1737 / SB1851 (Oppose)
  • HB2064 / SB2467 (Oppose)
  • HB2514 / SB2478 (Oppose)
  • HB2371 / SB2422 (Monitor)

No longer moving forward this session:

  • HB1821 / SB1897 (Oppose)
  • HB1189 / SB1227 (Oppose)
  • HB2448 / SB2382 (Monitor)
  • HB2124 / SB2432 (Monitor)

#3 What We’re Tracking: Secure Storage Vitally Needed in Tennessee

At Safer TN, we believe that supporting the Second Amendment and supporting firearm safety aren’t opposing values. They’re inseparable ones.

Firearm injury is the leading cause of death for children in Tennessee, and our state ranks third in the nation for accidental shootings by children. Research tells us that 75% of children in homes with a gun know exactly where it is, even when parents are certain it’s well hidden. And yet more than half of all firearms in homes with children are not stored safely.

Last week, that statistic had a face and a name. A six-year-old boy, Steven Lamont Ricks, died after finding an unsecured gun in his own home in Nashville.

Secure storage is the single most effective step a gun owner can take to prevent accidents, theft, and misuse, and it is a critical tool in suicide prevention as well.

Help us share lifesaving information by downloading secure storage resources on our website today.

#4 What We’re Tracking: Finding Common Ground Across Tennessee

We hope you will join us at an upcoming event near you to keep these conversations happening. If you’d like to volunteer to attend an event or have us speak to your community group, email our community engagement coordinator Katy Dieckhaus.

Safer TN at the 6th Annual Banana Pudding Festival on April 4 in Monterey, Tenn.

Upcoming community events:

April 9-11: Mule Day, Columbia
April 10: Taylor’s Ruritan Club Annual Rodeo, Cleveland
April 18: Crossville Strawberry Festival
April 19: Farmers on First, Cleveland
April 25-26: Main Street Festival, Franklin
April 25: Tennessee Apple Festival, Murfreesboro
April 25: Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women Baby Fair, Memphis
April 25: Spring Around the Square, Decatur

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Safer TN Tracker | 3.25.26

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This week marks a moment of reflection for our community and our state. March 27 is the anniversary of the Covenant School shooting in Nashville, a tragedy that took six lives and profoundly shaped all of us. In its aftermath, a group of parents came together with purpose and determination to build what is now Safer TN. Then, as now, we brought together Republicans, Democrats, and Independents to create safer communities for everyone.

Three years later, our resolve to prevent firearm tragedies has not wavered. With support from Tennesseans across all 95 counties, we’ve grown our impact and influence. As you will see in this update, our team is working hard during this busy legislative season, and there are many opportunities to get involved.

#1 Mapping the Toll: Safer TN & UTK’s Boyd Center Launch First-of-its-Kind Data Tool

Map Showing TN Firearm Fatality Rate fomr 2014-2023

What does firearm violence really cost Tennessee? A new partnership between Safer TN and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville has the answer: $3.6 billion. That’s how much the state lost in 2023 alone in medical expenses, law enforcement response, and lost productivity. 

Our new interactive data dashboard is now live, mapping the economic and human toll of firearm tragedies across all 95 counties. The research highlights a critical shift in the conversation: while firearm homicide is often viewed as an urban challenge, our rural counties face a staggering firearm death rate driven, in large part, by suicides. In fact, the highest firearm death rates are in rural Clay and Pickett Counties.

Whether you live in Memphis, Mountain City, or anywhere in between, this tool allows you to see the specific trends in your own backyard. By using verified data from the TBI and the Tennessee Department of Health, we are providing the foundation for meaningful, nonpartisan conversations about public safety.

Check out the data for your county here: tiny.utk.edu/firearms.

#2 What We’re Tracking: Safer TN Bill Monitoring

TN Capitol Building

We have entered the phase of the legislative session where bill activity is fast-paced and unpredictable. Several bills we are tracking are scheduled for committee hearings this week, while others have already passed or failed. We continue to watch everything very closely with our C4 Board and lobbying team. You can find additional details on these bills on our advocacy website.

If you have specific questions on legislation, please reach out to Jennifer Hellmer at jennifer@safertn.org.

#3 What We’re Tracking: Tennessee Takes Aim at a Critical Safety Gap

This month, a years-long effort to better protect domestic violence survivors in Tennessee reached a meaningful milestone. Advocates have pushed the Tennessee Domestic Violence State Coordinating Council to revise a key document used in cases where abusers are ordered to surrender their firearms.

The concern centers on a loophole in the state’s firearms dispossession affidavit. As written, the form does not require abusers to list the name or address of the person receiving their firearms, leaving an accountability gap that can put victims at risk.

At its March meeting, the council took action, voting to send a letter to judges across Tennessee recommending they update their local forms to include this critical information. While the change is not yet mandatory statewide, it signals growing recognition of the issue at the highest levels.

Some Tennessee counties are already leading the way, with local officials updating their forms as part of broader efforts to strengthen protections for survivors.

Advocates hope the council’s recommendation will accelerate similar changes across the state, closing a dangerous loophole and adding an extra layer of accountability in cases where lives may depend on it.

#4 What We’re Tracking: Spring Safer TN Events

As the weather gets warmer, our team will be out and about at community events all over the state. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved, whether it’s volunteering at a Safer TN booth, stopping by to say hello at a festival or attending a fundraiser.

Upcoming community events:

March 26: Rural Health Association of Tennessee, Sevierville
March 29: Spring Fling, Bedford County Fair, Shelbyville
April 4: 6th Annual Banana Pudding Festival, Monterey
April 10: Taylor’s Ruritan Club Annual Rodeo, Cleveland
April 18: Crossville Strawberry Festival
April 19: Farmers on First, Cleveland
April 25-26: Main Street Festival, Franklin
April 25: Tennessee Apple Festival, Murfreesboro
April 25: Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women Baby Fair, Memphis
April 25: Spring Around the Square, Decatur

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Safer TN Tracker | 3.10.26

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Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN) is rolling out new tools and initiatives to help you stay informed and engaged during this legislative session.

From a new bill tracker on our website to text message alerts and expanded community outreach, we’re working to make it easier for you to stay connected to our work across Tennessee.

In the coming weeks, we’ll also begin sharing opportunities to volunteer at events across the state. Here’s what we’re tracking right now.

#1 What We’re Tracking: New Bill Tracking Tool on Our Website

From Safer TN Policy Advisor Jennifer Hellmer

We’re excited to launch Safer TN’s new Legislative Spotlight section on our Advocacy website. This tool provides a snapshot of the bills we are tracking and engaging with during the current session.

  • Support: Safer TN’s lobbyists are actively working to help pass these bills.
  • Oppose: Safer TN’s lobbyists are actively working to stop these bills.
  • Monitor: We are reviewing these bills and may move them into “support” or “oppose” as more information becomes available.

So far, there has been limited movement on firearm legislation, as many bills have been deferred or are still awaiting committee hearings. We expect more activity in the coming weeks.

While many proposals relate to community safety, Safer TN remains focused on our key priorities: background checks, temporary transfers, secure firearm storage, and legislation impacting school safety.

We’re working closely with our lobbyists and Board to determine the best strategy for each bill. As a member of our coalition, you play an important role. We’ll continue sharing updates and will reach out if specific legislation would benefit from outreach to lawmakers.

#2 What We’re Tracking: Safer TN Now Has Text Messaging

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In the coming weeks, you may receive a text message from Safer TN. These messages will share updates about events in your area, volunteer opportunities, and other important information related to our work.

We will not send frequent messages, and you can opt out at any time. If you receive a message from an 833 number, it is from us and not a scam.

If you’d like to get started now, you can opt in by filling out this form. We’re excited to start connecting with you in this new way!

#3 What We’re Tracking: Expanding Cable Lock and Hospital-Based Education

Safer TN has partnered with two hospital systems to distribute firearm safety information cards and cable locks to parents of newborns. This effort was recently highlighted in local news coverage in Chattanooga, helping raise awareness about the importance of secure firearm storage for families across Tennessee.

Secure storage is one of the most effective ways to prevent unintentional shootings, youth access to firearms, and firearm theft. Providing parents with simple tools and information helps ensure firearms are stored safely — protecting children and reducing the risk of tragedy.

This effort continues to grow. In the coming months, we expect to expand distribution into additional hospitals, healthcare providers’ offices, and other settings where families can access important firearm safety information. Stay tuned.

#4 What We’re Tracking: More Events Than Ever

Safer TN is on track to participate in more events this year than ever before, especially with the addition of our coalition coordinators in East Tennessee, Southeast Tennessee, and West Tennessee.

This work is critical. We are focused on reaching voters across Tennessee, so that when the time comes, we can mobilize people to contact their lawmakers about firearm safety measures.

You can help. Soon we will begin posting volunteer sign-ups for events across the state.

In the meantime, if you’d like to get involved, please email Katy Dieckhaus, our Community Engagement Coordinator, to let her know you’re interested. You can also reach out directly to your region’s coalition coordinator.

West Tennessee: Lauren Fortenberry
Southeast Tennessee: Emily Holden
East Tennessee: Nycole Gentry

Other upcoming events include:

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Safer TN Tracker | 2.24.26

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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:

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