Message To Our Coalition From Safer TN

Dear Safer TN Coalition, 

This weekend our Country witnessed the worst possible manifestation of polarization in the form of political violence and an assassination attempt. This is terrifying, and cannot be an option we continue to allow as Americans. In light of recent events nationally and questions we’ve received related to our work here in Tennessee, we feel it is important to provide even more clarity on our nonpartisan organization.

When Safer TN came together in March 2023, we wanted to improve firearm safety in our state by working with Tennesseans to create a Tennessee-tailored solution. We saw an opportunity to take a different approach that could complement the important work already being done by other organizations: building a truly nonpartisan coalition championed by Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike. Since then, we’ve worked hard to live out this approach. 

As co-workers and as leaders who hold different political beliefs, we have regular conversations about what it means to be a nonpartisan coalition in such a polarized, political environment. The reality is that being nonpartisan is incredibly challenging. We know and understand that many of our coalition members vote differently and share different personal perspectives on many issues. However, we are all aligned on one key issue: Firearm-related tragedies in Tennessee have reached crisis level, and we must make change for the sake of our communities’ and childrens’ safety. Reducing preventable firearm-related tragedies remains our north star.

Safer TN works to do that in many ways. The primary ways you’ve likely engaged with us are through statewide education, awareness and grassroots advocacy, which are financially supported by generous donations to two organizational mechanisms – our 501c4 Advocacy Fund governed by our board of directors, and our 501c3 Community Education Fund, hosted by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT).  

In addition to the work of our 501c4 and 501c3, we have an affiliated, yet legally separate, Political Action Committee (PAC) with its own set of officers. Both our board of directors and PAC officers were chosen to reflect diverse perspectives and political affiliations. 

There have been questions surrounding recent contributions our PAC made to incumbent legislators and leadership PACs. We missed an opportunity to educate you about our PAC and for that, we apologize. We will continue to listen and learn as an organization.

We want you to be informed and understand how all three entities under the Safer TN umbrella thoughtfully navigate the realities of our political landscape, which currently includes a Republican supermajority in both the House and Senate. Decisions made by the PAC were informed by legislative activities and, for this round of contributions for the August primary, were guided by the breakdown of party representation in both chambers (the House is 76% Republican, and the Senate is 82% Republican). Ultimately, contributions from the PAC were made to members and leaders of both political parties who worked with us on various firearm safety policies this past legislative session. These donations are for primary elections where many Republicans (and some Democrats) are facing opposition from more extreme candidates. 

Of note, no funds from the 501c3 Community Education Fund hosted by CFMT or grassroots donations into the c4 were used to make political contributions. The PAC was funded by individual donors who made gifts to the 501c4 knowing their contribution would be used for this purpose. Our website outlines the different focuses of each fund. 

The 2024 legislative session confirmed that our nonpartisan, multifaceted approach can work. See our recent op-ed and release on progress made. 

This year marked Safer TN’s first full legislative session in operation, and it was also the first time in nearly a decade that lawmakers did not further loosen our firearm safety laws, and instead reduced firearm access. Together with other advocates, we helped advance new laws (HB1600 and Jillian’s Law) that meaningfully reduce firearm access for those who pose a danger to themselves and others, and we helped stop dangerous legislation that would have allowed the open carry of loaded long guns in public places. This is a win for community safety, and a credit to the tireless Safer TN volunteers and coalition members who showed up at the Legislature day in and day out to monitor hearings and interact with legislators, put signs in their yards, and attended our events.   

These positive developments would also not have been possible without the support of both Republicans and Democrats in the General Assembly and, importantly, the support of their leadership. Our objective of advancing firearm safety laws in Tennessee is one that will take time, and we believe our nonpartisan, pragmatic approach will yield results as quickly as possible. We continue to be encouraged by the growth of our coalition of nearly 30,000 in all 95 counties, the work of hundreds of volunteers, and relationships built across the aisle at the legislature. You are what makes this organization special, and we are honored to have you on this journey with us. We welcome the opportunity to hear from you with any questions. 

Most sincerely,