Safer TN Tracker

The 114th Tennessee General Assembly opened on Tuesday, kicking off a four-month legislative session. The Safer TN team was there for the start, and will be present every step of the way, working to advance policies and programs that create safer communities. Our priorities remain unchanged:

• Expanding background checks to prevent firearm access for those legally prohibited, such as felons, convicted domestic abusers, and youth. 
• Increasing secure firearm storage through education and the availability of affordable, accessible storage options to reduce accidents and theft. 
• A process for temporary firearm transfer that establishes a court procedure, ensuring due process, to temporarily restrict access for individuals who may pose a risk to themselves or others.

Data shows these areas have the potential to enhance safety across our state. We’re grateful for your support as we advocate for these initiatives and explore innovative solutions to make our communities safer.

What to expect this legislative session

1. Leadership has been elected, continuing with the same leadership teams as in the last session:
   • House: Speaker Cameron Sexton, Majority Leader William Lamberth, Minority Leader Karen Camper
   • Senate: Lt. Governor Randy McNally (serves as Speaker of the Senate), Majority Leader Jack Johnson, Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari 
     
2. Committee Chairs and Members have been announced and can be found here for Senate and here for House.
   
3. Gov. Bill Lee has called a Special Session to begin January 27, which will be focused on passing his school voucher proposal, disaster relief, and measures to address illegal immigration. A special session allows the governor to limit discussion to specific topics under an expedited process.  
   
4. Regular session will likely begin the first week of February, but this is still fluid.
   
5. The bill filing deadline is still fluid, too.
   
6. This year, several House committees are being merged after a rule change was passed. Committees that handle civil and criminal judiciary matters, education administration and instruction, and state and local government issues, which were split in 2011 and 2015, will now be combined.
   • Under the rule changes, reunified House Education, Judiciary and State and Local Government committees will once again come into being. 
     
7. The Governor’s budget will be unveiled sometime in February when he delivers his State of the State address. For more about the budget process, The Sycamore Institute offers this helpful budget primer.

The Makeup of the Legislature

Our new tool helps you advocate at the Capitol and beyond!

Safer TN has launched a new tool to help you connect directly with your lawmakers. It provides step-by-step instructions and helpful tips on what to say when reaching out to your representatives.

Here’s how to connect with your legislator:

• Representation is based on where you live. We can help you identify your representatives and give you talking points with our new tool. 
• To schedule a meeting, contact their legislative assistant by calling their office.
• If you visit in person, politely ask if they have time to meet.
• Always be respectful and clearly explain what you’re advocating for and why it matters to you.
• For inspiration, check out the sample talking points that follow our contact tool. And remember to follow Safer TN on social media and read the Tracker weekly for information on specific bills we support or oppose.

Are you interested in advocating in person at the Capitol with Safer TN?

If you’re passionate about advocating for firearm safety and safer communities, Safer TN invites you to join us at the state Capitol in Nashville, especially if you’re outside Davidson County. Your participation can drive change and raise awareness on critical issues affecting our state. If you’re interested in getting involved, please email our volunteer coordinator, Carolyn Taylor, at carolyn@safertn.org, and we’ll provide all the details you need.

 Are we coming to your civic organization or social club?

Safer TN has been meeting with civic groups like Rotary Clubs and League of Women Voters chapters across the state, from West to East Tennessee, and we’re eager to connect with more organizations. If your civic group, faith community, or social club would benefit from learning about our work and how to support safer communities, we’d love to visit. To schedule a meeting, email us at info@safertn.org or reach out directly to Emily Ezell at emily@safertn.org.

We put a collection of graphics together with key takeaways from Tennessee’s State of the Child report, which reveals firearm injuries are still the leading cause of death.

TCCY is a nonpartisan agency dedicated to improving the health, well-being, and development of children and youth in the state. Read their full report here.

Tennessee legislature: Meet the 12 new members starting work in 2025 (The Tennessean; subscription)

Man arrested for shooting at family sledding in East Tennessee (WATE)

We asked Tennessee legislative leaders what their priorities are for 2025. Here’s what they said (NewsChannel 5 Nashville)

Nashville airport is near the top of the list for gun discoveries (Axios)

What We Learned From Analyzing 10 Years of Shooting Data (The Trace)
“You’re more likely to be shot in the rural South than in big cities like Chicago. Gun violence is often associated with urban areas, but in our review, we found that half of all shootings occurred outside large cities, in communities of fewer than 1 million people. Thirteen of the 20 towns and cities with the highest rates of shootings were located in the South.“

Voices for a Safer Tennessee hosted a hybrid event Wednesday aimed at deepening community understanding of Tennessee’s legislative process and spotlighting Safer TN’s 2025 policy priorities. 

Held at Belmont University’s Center for Interprofessional Engagement and Simulation at the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine and streamed online, the Legislative Learning Session featured an insightful panel discussion with former Tennessee lawmakers Rep. Sam Whitson (R-District 65) and Sen. Lowe Finney (D-District 27). They were joined by Safer TN Policy Director Erin Rogus, and the discussion was moderated by WBIR News Anchor Abby Ham.

Key takeaways:

• The most effective advocacy comes from voters in legislators’ home districts. That’s why you should know who your state Representative and Senator are, and contact them periodically to let them know firearm safety is a priority. Contact them again when a relevant bill is working its way through the legislative pipeline, and encourage others to do the same. Find your legislators here and follow Safer TN for information on important bills.
• Build coalitions in your district. Engage other people and organizations that might have a stake in firearm safety, like your school district, local healthcare providers, clergy, civic groups and businesses. Legislators pay attention when they see people from many segments of the community coalesce around an issue and proposed solutions.
• The Governor’s budget is crucial. Even the best bills may fail because they involve costs that are not budgeted, so planning ahead is important. In 2024, for example, Safer TN worked with the Governor to include funding to add needed personnel to strengthen our background check system.
• Stay positive and committed. Change takes time and persistence. We’re in this for the long haul.

Read more here.

What To Know Heading into the 114^th Tennessee General Assembly

Safer TN has outlined what to expect in the coming weeks as the legislative session begins. The Tennessee General Assembly will gavel in at noon on Tuesday, January 14 in Nashville. 

• The first order of business is the swearing in of the members-elect.
• Next, each body adopts its rules of procedure to be followed for the next two years, which determine how the Senate and House will conduct business. 
• The membership of each body then elects a presiding officer or speaker for a two-year term.
• The Speakers in each body appoint the officers of each standing committee and the membership of the standing committees.

The above organizational business will be completed by Thursday of that week. At that point, the legislature typically has a two-week recess before convening in regular session and beginning to act on legislation.

• This year, the Governor may call a special session during the typical recess period for members to reconvene under special rules to consider school voucher legislation. 
• Regular session will likely begin the first week of February, but this is still fluid. The bill filing deadline for House and Senate bills will likely fall then (deadlines will be finalized when each body adopts its rules). 
• The Governor’s budget will be unveiled sometime in February when his State of the State address is given. 

The Makeup of the Legislature: 

The General Assembly has 33 Senators and 99 Representatives.

• The 114th General Assembly Senate is composed of 27 Republicans and 6 Democrats, elected to four-year terms.
• The 114th General Assembly House of Representatives is composed of 75 Republicans and 24 Democrats, elected in even-numbered years to two-year terms.

Learn more at the Tennessee General Assembly Website.

Support policy change with Safer TN Merch!

Show your legislators and neighbors you care about creating safer communities. By purchasing and proudly displaying and wearing our items, you can help raise awareness and demonstrate your commitment to policies that protect lives and respect the Second Amendment. All this month, get free shipping on the items you purchase!

We offer yard signs, car magnets, buttons, mugs, travel tumblers, and hats. JUST IN: Trucker hats in brown or green camo!

Proceeds from your merchandise purchases go toward education and advocacy. Visit our store today and take a stand for the change you want to see!

Our annual report is live!

Safer TN is proud to present our first annual report, which showcases key achievements ranging from coalition growth to financials. 

Find the annual report by clicking here.

Your generosity was overwhelming

With your help, Safer TN raised $240,000 through our end-of-year giving campaign. That is money that will help us with expanding education and outreach to our 30,000 members and beyond, while conducting data-driven research and polling on firearm safety. Additionally, we advocate for policies and programs that prioritize the safety of our communities while respecting the Second Amendment in this upcoming session.

You can still make a tax-deductible donation to our 501(c)(3) fund, hosted by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, by clicking this link. To learn more about the impact of your donation, visit this link. 

Statewide organization asks legislators to pass firearm safety laws (WKRN Nashville)

7-year-old dies after accidentally shooting herself (Fox13 Memphis)

Shootings at Walmarts in Halls, Clarksville, and Lebanon, TN (WBIR Knoxville, WKRN Nashville & WGNS Radio)

Latest workplace shooting in TN highlights ongoing concerns of violence (WKRN Nashville)

11-year-old shot, is one of more than 140 treated for gunshot wounds at children’s hospital (Fox13 Memphis)

48-year-old woman killed outside her home near Opry Mills (WSMV Nashville)

Hendersonville man shoots at deer from truck while intoxicated (WKRN Nashville)

Bojangles employee, a minor, shoots at two men who pull weapons on him (WREG Memphis)

Man shot after accidentally merging in front of another vehicle (Fox13 Memphis)

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a national conference focused on reducing firearm-related harms where I gained valuable insights that reaffirm our commitment to moving the needle on firearm safety in Tennessee. One key takeaway was the importance of offering solutions that provide real value to gunowners—reinforcing that we are not trying to take away rights, but rather work toward safer communities.

I was inspired by models in Louisiana and Arkansas, where firearm dealers are working to reduce deaths by suicide by temporarily holding firearms for those who need some time and space while recovering from depression or other mental health issues. 

I was also heartened by data that showed following the 2024 passage of Tennessee legislation authorizing school districts to allow teachers to train to carry in schools, an impressive 147 school districts have chosen to opt-out of the program. 

The conference also showcased cutting-edge research on reducing firearm injuries, though it highlighted the gap in implementation—something we are actively working to address. Safer TN is proud to be at the forefront of creating solutions tailored specifically for Tennessee by learning from successful strategies in other states.

Building relationships with other advocates and organizations was another highlight, as these connections will help us further our shared goal of safer communities for all.

–Safer TN Policy Director, Erin Rogus

At the National Research Conference for the Prevention of Firearm Related Harms, Yale’s Danielle Poole, ScD, MPH presented data showing between 2017 and 2021, 6% of 6,000 Tennessee youths surveyed–more than 300–reported carrying a firearm in the past year. Her analysis found depressive symptoms and feeling unsafe are strongly associated with youth gun carrying in our state. 

Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg Center for Public Health suggests that if you have children or teens heading over to a friend’s house, talking about guns in the home can feel less awkward by framing it as part of a broader safety conversation, like: “Hey, I have a list of safety things to chat about before my kid comes over. Do you have a dog? Here are my kid’s allergies. Do you have any guns in the home?”

According to Be Smart for Kids, an organization solely focused on secure storage, when speaking to your children about what to do if they encounter a firearm, keep the language simple–“If you see a gun, don’t touch it. Tell an adult right away”–and to include these conversations along with topics like drugs, alcohol, and drunk driving with adolescents. 

We are hosting a panel on the upcoming legislative session 

Curious about how the legislative process works and how Safer TN will define success in 2025? Join us for a panel discussion on January 8 at 12 p.m. CT/1 p.m. ET. Knoxville’s Abby Ham from WBIR will moderate the conversation with former State Rep. Sam Whitson from Middle Tennessee, former State Sen. Lowe Finney from West Tennessee, and our policy director Erin Rogus. Location and links will be shared soon—just be sure to save the date!

We’re looking for volunteers to help promote our mission on social media!

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

If you’re short on time but still want to make a difference, you can help by sharing content, engaging with followers, and supporting key initiatives wherever you are. Even just a few minutes a day can help us raise awareness and create a safer community for everyone. Set up alerts to be notified whenever we post on Facebook or Instagram, and when you see a post, like it and share it to help spread crucial information and education to people across the state.

You made your voice heard!

Dozens of you answered our survey questions last week. Thank you! The results show strong engagement with Safer TN’s mission and our work. While 43% were very satisfied with our efforts to advance our three policy priorities, others offered feedback suggesting a need for more information on our organization’s specific goals. We hear you, and are planning to respond with more events, education and outreach–especially outside major cities. If you have additional feedback, feel free to email us anytime at info@safertn.org.

End of Year Giving

The survey also revealed that most of you are willing to financially support our organization, whether you’ve donated before or not. Your generosity enables us to work with lawmakers at the State Capitol and promote behavior change around firearm safety statewide. 

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to our 501(c)(3) fund, hosted by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, before the end of the year here. To learn more about the impact of your donation, visit this link. If you’d like to discuss a multiyear pledge, wire transfer, planned gift, or stock donation, feel free to contact our executive director, Claudia Huskey (claudia@safertn.org), directly.

• Our Advisory Board Chair Clay Stauffer opened up about the profound impact of gun violence on his life and why he’s devoted to Safer TN’s cause. Watch his video on our YouTube channel here.
  
• Our Board Chair Todd Cruse appeared on This Week with Bob Mueller where he answered tough, yet fair, questions with a mix of humor, data, and practical solutions. Watch his full segment at this link.
  
• Our intern, Vanderbilt student Kathryn Obrecht, described her semester with Safer TN as “transformative” during a presentation to her Capstone class. The Capstone program gives students the opportunity to gain real-world experience while earning college credit. We’re grateful for Kathryn’s contributions and for all our interns!

Man charged with killing mom, injuring toddler in Hardin Co. road rage shooting (Action News 5 Memphis)

Tennesseans still strongly support gun control laws, poll shows (WKRN Nashville)

Shooting in Madison joins a long list of those at US schools, colleges (AP News)

What is a ‘ghost gun’? Does Tennessee have laws about them? Here’s what to know (USA TODAY NETWORK)

Tennessee DA accused of firing at fugitive, hitting home with woman and her 3 children inside (CBS News)

State Rep. speaks about killed friend, grandmother killed in Westhaven shooting (Fox 13 Memphis)

Knoxville man convicted of murder after argument over dog waste leads to shooting (WATE)

Third arrested in Jackson, TN mass shooting that left a 2-year-old dead (Action News 5 Memphis)

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!

We value your voice and want to hear from you! Your feedback is crucial in helping us better provide the content and resources you find most valuable while scaling back on what’s less effective. Our short survey takes just a few minutes, and your input will directly shape how we prioritize our efforts and strategies. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us! Access the survey by clicking this link.

We also want to extend our deep gratitude for the dozens of gifts we received on Giving Tuesday! With the two generous donors who matched each gift, we raised almost $45,000. There are many ways your donation helps us but here are just a few:

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)