Safer TN Tracker

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)

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.

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)

As October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, we are focusing on what is – and isn’t – being done to protect victims of domestic violence. Did you know that the leading cause of death for pregnant women is homicide, often involving a firearm? Many mass shooters have had a history of domestic violence, and Tennessee has the nation’s fifth-highest rate of firearm deaths caused by current or former partners.

Each statistic represents a life lost, families shattered, and children left behind. That’s why Voices for a Safer Tennessee advocates for secure storage, temporary firearm transfer requirements, and expanded background checks for firearm purchases to protect those at risk. Right now, those who are convicted of domestic violence or are subject to orders of protection are prohibited from possessing or purchasing firearms, but Tennessee law does not require proof that they relinquished their weapons, and firearms can be purchased through private sales without background checks. With few exceptions, those experiencing mental health crises can also keep their weapons.

We hope this issue motivates you to take to the polls this month. Early voting has begun, and your vote is crucial, so please don’t leave it to chance – make your voting plan now. We urge you to support candidates who support responsible safeguards for people who might harm themselves or someone else. Our voter tool has information about who’s on your ballot. Early voting locations in your county can be found here.

Together, we can help reduce the tragic consequences of domestic homicides in Tennessee.

Sincerely,

Claudia Huskey
Executive Director
Voices for a Safer Tennessee

“You Have the Power Walk” on October 12 
Voices for a Safer TN was honored to participate in this year’s “You Have the Power” Walk at Centennial Park in Nashville. Founded by former First Lady of Tennessee Andrea Conte, “You Have the Power” hosts the walk as a meaningful way to remember Tennessee’s children who tragically lost their lives to violence — many as a result of firearm injuries. This annual event serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for action to prevent such heartbreaking losses and to advocate for safer communities across the state.

Violence Summit in Chattanooga on October 8
Coalition members from Safer TN participated in Chattanooga and Hamilton County’s inaugural Violence Summit. City and county leaders came together and discussed ways to minimize violence among young adults and make their communities safer. Their innovative approaches, including community violence intervention work, are making a difference; gun violence is down 17%, according to the City of Chattanooga.

Safer TN in Columbia on October 4
Our team members had a blast meeting new friends and neighbors at First Fridays in Columbia, and will be back on November 1. Join us!

Green Hills Rotary on October 4 
Safer TN executive director Claudia Huskey and policy director Erin Rogus joined the Green Hills Rotary to present on Safer TN’s work and how policy changes have impacted rates of firearm injury and gun-related crime. 

If you know of a Rotary or other civic organization that would be interested in a discussion on firearm safety, let us know at info@safertn.org.

Our Team is Growing! 

Exciting news! Voices for a Safer Tennessee has expanded our team by adding Jessica Jaglois as our new Director of Communications.

Jessica is an award-winning investigative journalist with nearly two decades of experience reporting for local media outlets, including WKRN in Nashville and Action 5 News in Memphis, and for national news organizations like The New York Times. She has covered many stories related to firearms. She was on scene for the 2018 Waffle House shooting in Nashville, and reported on issues related to the 2021 citywide shooting spree in Memphis. Jessica brings a passion for storytelling and a commitment to advocacy for our organization. Please welcome her, and reach out with any media inquiries! Her email is jessica@safertn.org. She can be reached by phone at 615-613-1624.

Jessica has already hit the ground running, and was in Memphis on Tuesday where she sat down with Action News 5 to discuss Safer TN’s mission and her new role.  Watch here.

Early voting has started! 

Early voting in Tennessee is underway, and will run through October 31.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5. All 99 state representatives and 16 of the 33 state senators are up for election. Find polling locations for early voting and election day voting here, and take advantage of our voter tool to research the candidates on your ballot.

If you or a loved one lives in one of the six Tennessee counties impacted by Hurricane Helene, the TN Secretary of State has issued special voting information for these counties. 

Gun Policy Panel Discussion at Belmont University on October 23

Belmont University is hosting Voices for a Safer Tennessee and the Tennessee Firearms Association for a spirited discussion on firearm policy, the 2nd Amendment, and community safety. Register here and join us at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23, in Nashville!

Join us November 1 at First Fridays in Columbia! 

Our coalition members will be at First Fridays in Columbia on the evening of Friday, November 1. Stop by our table to say hello and pick up some swag! More info and sign up here.

Domestic Violence and Firearms

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Under federal law, those subject to domestic violence restraining orders or who are convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are prohibited from purchasing and possessing firearms and ammunition. However, Tennessee law does not require background checks on private gun sales, meaning those with domestic violence convictions can still easily access firearms. 

According to a 2023 analysis of court records by WPLN and ProPublica, “at least 75 people [have been] killed in domestic violence shootings in Nashville since 2007, when the police switched to a searchable record system. Of those, at least 29 victims — nearly 40% — were shot by people who were legally barred from having a gun.”

We know access to a firearm greatly increases the risk of homicide in a domestic violence situation:

• The presence of a firearm in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%.  

• And intimate partner violence-related firearm homicides have risen dramatically: from 2014 to 2020 they increased 58%.

• Homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant and postpartum women. 81% of these homicides involved a gun, and the majority of them occurred at home. Black women are five times more likely to die by firearm during pregnancy and postpartum than white women. 

• States with weaker firearm safety laws have a higher number of firearm-related intimate partner homicides. Between 2018 and 2022, Tennessee had the fifth-highest incidence of firearm-related intimate partner homicides in the nation. 

Scott County in Tennessee has been doing some impressive work to take the lead in addressing domestic violence. Read about their innovative approach here. 

*******

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), texting “START” to 88788, or chatting online at thehotline.org. Trained advocates are available 24/7 to provide free confidential support to people anywhere in the U.S.  
The Statewide Sexual Assault Hotline is another resource:1-866-811-7473. Additional ways to get help in Tennessee are available here. 

New White House Executive Order on Firearm Safety

Marking one year since the establishment of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, the Biden Administration issued a series of executive actions to reduce firearm injury and gun violence. These include directing federal agencies to improve school-based active shooter drills and combat the emerging threats of unserialized, 3D-printed firearms known as “ghost guns.” The Administration also provided additional funding for community violence intervention programs, and clarified Medicaid reimbursement for firearm safety programs. Read the Fact Sheet on the executive actions here. 

In Case You Missed It … 

Read our press release on our Suicide Prevention Webinar, with key takeaways from the discussion that can help save lives. You can view a replay of the webinar here.  

Link Between Domestic Violence and Mass Shootings 

A recent study exploring the role of domestic violence in mass shootings in the U.S. found that 59.1% of mass shootings between 2014 and 2019 were domestic violence-related and in 68.2% of mass shootings, the perpetrator either killed at least one partner or family member or had a history of domestic violence (DV).

Voices for a Safer Tennessee on Action News 5 Digital Desk (Action News 5 Memphis)

After Covenant, Tennessee Elections Will Gauge Possibility of Gun Control (Nashville Banner) On Tuesday, [Safer TN] board chair Todd Cruse told the Banner that the organization aims to push the same platform in the upcoming session. “While it is too early to predict specific outcomes for the upcoming session, we are confident that by building on the incremental progress we’ve achieved, we can continue to make meaningful strides toward safer communities,” Cruse said.

Grandmother charged after accidental shooting death of 8-year-old (WSMV)

‘North Nashville is on fire’: Mothers, activists plea for help after mass shooting (Tennessean)

In 2019, Congress Finally Funded Gun Violence Research. Here’s How It’s Changed the Field (The Trace)

This week, Safer TN presented a webinar on suicide prevention. The statistics are shocking: Our state’s rate of suicide by firearm is nearly 50% higher than the national average. Rural residents and military veterans are particularly at risk, and more children and teens are having suicidal ideations.

It is clear that mental health plays an important role in suicide, mass shootings, and some other forms of firearm violence. But it is not an either/or proposition. Easy access to firearms is also a major factor. We need to address both.

During our webinar, we learned Tennessee has a shortage of mental health professionals, especially outside of metropolitan areas, and state policies make it very difficult to keep firearms out of the hands of those who are at risk of self-harm. One of our panelists, Penny Anderson of the veterans’ service nonprofit Operation Stand Down, said delaying access to a firearm for as little as 10 minutes can give the distraught person a chance to reconsider and get help. 

Observations by panelists, who all have frequent firsthand experience with people in crisis, underscore the importance of three policies that Safer TN espouses: secure storage of firearms, temporary transfer of firearms from those at risk of harming themselves or others, and expanded background checks.

The webinar also reminded us of our shared humanity. Panelist Annette Lake, who lost both her son and her father to suicide by firearm within a year, said she has found solace in her friends’ support. Now she is giving back as an advocate for suicide prevention and for fellow survivors. 

Another of our panelists, Judge Eddie Lauderback, spoke of the devastation and social disruption caused by Hurricane Helene in the northeast corner of the state where he lives. The underlying message from both Ms. Lake and Judge Lauderback was clear: We need each other.

That is a core value of Safer TN – that we are in this together for all Tennesseans, regardless of where they live, how they vote, or what they look like. 

I hope you will take the time to watch the video of this enlightening webinar and read more about it in the Policy Update elsewhere in this newsletter. And if you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, know that help is available. Call or text 988, then press 0 for 24/7 free and confidential support. Visit preventsuicidetn.org to learn about resources available in your area.

Together, we can make changes in our own lives and in our state policies that will make a difference. Thank you for being part of this effort. 

And please keep our neighbors in East Tennessee and the Carolinas in your thoughts and prayers. Here is a resource to find opportunities to lift up and support communities in need. 

With gratitude,

Claudia Huskey
Executive Director
Voices for a Safer Tennessee

Safer TN in Chattanooga 

On Tuesday, Oct. 1, the Safer TN team traveled to Chattanooga to learn more about the work of Chattanooga’s Office of Community Safety and Gun Violence Prevention, and partner on a presentation to the Missionary Ridge Neighborhood Association on community safety. Led by Chris Sands, Chattanooga’s Gun Violence Prevention Team is doing innovative work in the schools and on the streets with violence interventionists, “chain breakers” with lived experience who can counsel wayward juveniles, and victim service advocates. Read more about their unique approach here.

---

Safer TN Advisory Board Members Sen. Bill Frist & Dr. Clay Stauffer Talk Firearm Safety

On Wednesday, Oct. 2, Senator Bill Frist joined Dr. Clay Stauffer at Woodmont Christian Church in Nashville where they discussed Senator Frist’s views on government and partisanship in politics, what gives him hope for the future, and why they both believe Voices for a Safer Tennessee is making a real difference in moving the needle on firearm safety. You can watch their discussion here.

Solutions and Takeaways from Safer TN’s Suicide Prevention Webinar: 

To mark the conclusion of National Suicide Prevention Month, a diverse panel of Tennesseans shared their deeply personal stories and expert insights to confront the alarming reality of Tennessee’s rising suicide rate. 

The key takeaways from the discussion included:

• The need for awareness of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Prevention Lifeline and other mental health resources in Tennessee.
• The vital importance of securely storing firearms in a locked compartment or with a cable or trigger lock to prevent access for those in a mental health crisis. Delaying access by as little as 10 minutes can be the difference in saving a life. 
• Exploring the feasibility of temporary transfer laws or other legal mechanisms to temporarily remove firearms from individuals in crisis.
• Expanding background check requirements for firearm purchases to prevent purchase by those who have been involuntarily committed and are at risk of harming themselves. 
• Encouraging open conversations within families and communities about mental health, firearm safety and suicide prevention.

Click here to watch a recording of the webinar.

---

Safer TN’s policy director Erin Rogus appeared on WATE-TV Knoxville to discuss the impact of firearm suicide on Tennesseans, and the policy changes that can make a difference. 

The Voter Registration Deadline is October 7

All 99 state representatives and 16 of the 33 state senators will be elected Nov. 5. These are the people who will set the course of our firearm laws in the next General Assembly. To vote in the Nov. 5 election, you must register to vote (or confirm that your registration is current) by this Monday, Oct. 7. Make sure all your eligible friends and family members are registered, too, and take advantage of our voter tool to research the candidates on your ballot.

---

Come See Us in Columbia on October 4

Our coalition members will be at First Fridays in Columbia on the evening of Friday, Oct. 4. Stop by our table to say hello and pick up some swag!

---

Violence Summit in Chattanooga on October 8

Chattanooga and Hamilton County agencies and schools are teaming up to present “One Community, One Mission,” a summit on violence in the community, from 9 a.m.-noon on Oct. 8 at Brainerd Crossroads-BX. Register here.

---

October 23 – Save the Date! 

On Wednesday, October 23, at 6 p.m., Safer TN Board Chair Todd Cruse and Tennessee Firearms Association Executive Director John Harris will be sitting down for a spirited discussion on firearm safety and the Second Amendment, moderated by Belmont University Professor Vaughn May. The discussion is open to the community and will be held in Belmont University’s Janet Ayers Academic Center, Room 1034 (1st Floor) in Nashville. Parking is available in the garage under the Center. Registration link coming soon!

Tennessee has a firearm suicide rate that’s nearly 50% higher than the national average (Sycamore Institute).

Opinion: Parents, secure firearms to prevent tragedy. Gun violence is No. 1 killer of kids (The Tennessean, op-ed by Mark Proctor, retired captain of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security)

“[T]here are preventive solutions we can implement that have been proven to save lives. It’s part of what the [Tennessee Highway Patrol] academy ingrained in us as state troopers. The first thing I did when I walked in my front door after work – even before I hugged my kids and asked them about their day – was to secure my firearm in my gun safe, making sure to store my ammunition separately. We know these simple secure storage behaviors are effective in reducing firearm injury and death.”

Podcast: Jeffrey Steele’s Monday Night in America – Safer TN Board Members Todd Cruse and Katy Dieckhaus talk firearm safety and share stories about Katy’s little girl Evelyn, a Covenant student who lost her life (starting at 26 minutes in).

Tennessee Homeland Security investigated 125 school threats in one week (WKRN)

‘One pistol clip can change the balance of power’: Congress is wholly unprepared for a mass casualty event (Politico) 

How the Supreme Court Broadened the Second Amendment (The Trace)

Once again, a Tennessee child has died in an accidental shooting after finding a loaded gun in an attic. Phillip’e Woodard was 8 years old and full of promise. He was the third child in Nashville killed in an accidental shooting so far this year, and one of at least a dozen in our state. Tennessee has one of the highest rates in the U.S. of accidental firearm deaths among children, and the incidence has been rising.

Children are curious. They climb up to see what’s on the closet shelf and in the medicine cabinet. No matter how well parents think they have hidden Christmas or birthday presents, children will persist until they find them. And all too often, they find loaded, unsecured firearms, with tragic consequences.

Secure storage is one of the simplest and most effective ways we can reduce accidental deaths and suicides. And now it’s easier than ever to secure your firearms: The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security has made free gun locks available in every county, and the state does not charge sales tax on gun safes.

Organizations and local governments are stepping up to help. For instance, the Chapel Hill Police Department in Marshall County gives out free gun safety kits. Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville and Children’s Hospital at Erlanger in Chattanooga  are partnering with the Department of Safety to distribute free gun locks. The number of participating locations is growing.

We are heartbroken by the loss of another young life, but we are not helpless. We are more determined than ever to do what we can to make a difference through legislation, education, advocacy and voting. Please register to vote (or confirm that your registration is current) by Oct. 7 and research the candidates so you can cast an informed vote in the Nov. 5 election.

Thank you for being with us.

With gratitude,

Claudia Huskey
Executive Director
Voices for a Safer Tennessee

Back to School Bash
More than 400 adults and kids gathered last Sunday for an afternoon of fun and fundraising at the inaugural Safer TN Back to School Bash in Nashville. Headliner Ketch Secor, frontman for Old Crow Medicine Show, gave a musical performance and a reading of his children’s book, Lorraine: The Girl Who Sang the Storm Away.

Covering the State Virtually
If you live in one of the counties listed here, you might see video ads for Safer TN pop up on your social media feed. Our goal is simple: to bring awareness of the issues to more Tennesseans and grow our coalition in new areas. Take a look and let us know what you think! 

Franklin	Madison
Rutherford	Knox
Sumner	Montgomery
Blount	Hamilton
Shelby	Putnam

Safer TN on the Road
Todd Cruse, Safer TN’s Board Chair, spoke to a full house at the Mt. Juliet Rotary this week, sharing the alarming facts about firearm tragedies in Tennessee and describing Safer TN’s policy priorities.

Tuesday, September 24 at 6 p.m.: The Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is holding a webinar on Youth Firearm Suicide Prevention Advocacy. Learn more and register here.

On Wednesday, October 2nd, Safer TN is convening a webinar on “Preventing Suicide in Tennessee: A Conversation on Mental Health and Firearm Safety.”

We’ll hear from leaders across the state representing mental health providers, veterans, the judicial system, and those personally impacted by suicide by firearm. Registration info coming soon! 

Working towards a centralized court system
This past session, the TN General Assembly enacted legislation to require the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to create a centralized system for case management, electronic case filing, data reporting, electronic payment methods, and other capabilities, for all Tennessee Clerks of Court to integrate or use. 

The Tennessee Judiciary is divided into 32 judicial districts spanning across 95 counties with 300 courts. Currently, each district and county has varying degrees of autonomy, and each district and county clerk can generally choose their own case management system. This gives judges, clerks and local governments more control over the management of their specific courts, but it can lead to inconsistent practices and data entry across the state. Inconsistencies with data entry and incompatible systems have been a contributing factor to the now half-million record backlog in our state background check system, TICS. Creating a centralized system is a vital step towards strengthening our state’s background check system so that records don’t fall through the cracks. 

The AOC has begun this process, partnering with a contractor to design a plan for implementation, who is reviewing existing systems and then will begin soliciting feedback from stakeholders. The AOC is due to report to the legislature on progress on January 31, 2025. 

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Two out of three suicide deaths in Tennessee are attributable to suicide by firearm.  And Tennessee has a firearm suicide rate that’s nearly 50% higher than the national average.

Child’s accidental shooting death marks third in Nashville for 2024 (WSMV) – A deadly shooting on North Second Street Saturday night added to a troubling statistic in the state of Tennessee. The Metro Nashville Police Department said 8-year-old Phillip’e Woodard was playing with a gun inside a family member’s East Nashville home when it accidentally went off.

Woodard’s death marks the third accidental shooting of a child in Nashville this year. “That’s an unacceptable statistic,” Claudia Huskey, Executive Director of Voices for a Safer Tennessee, said. …

The organization held an event Sunday at Fat Bottom Brewing, where they spoke with parents as school gets back into session. They reminded parents to check before bringing kids to other homes to ensure gun storage is being practiced if the homeowner is also a gun owner.

“First thing that gun owners can do is securely store their firearms,” Huskey said. “So, that means it’s in a locked compartment that only the gun owner can access.”

---

What if it happened here? How Tennessee’s laws on guns and minors compare with Georgia’s (Nashville Banner)

Tennessee child mortality rates rise 12%, firearm injuries a leading cause (Fox 17 Nashville)