Safer TN Tracker | 03.24.25 - Voices for a Safer Tennessee

It’s hard to believe that nearly two years have passed since six lives were senselessly taken in a place that should have been safe—a school. On March 27, 2023, a shooter opened fire at The Covenant School in Nashville, leaving families shattered and communities across Tennessee deeply impacted.

In the wake of this tragedy, a group of shocked and grieving parents came together, refusing to let their pain be met with inaction. They founded Voices for a Safer Tennessee, a nonpartisan, grassroots coalition committed to advancing firearm safety policies that protect our children and communities and respect our Second Amendment rights.

The Covenant School shooting remains a stark and painful reminder of why this work is so critical. We believe that no family should endure the loss of a loved one to preventable gun violence, and no child or educator should feel unsafe in a place of learning.

How You Can Help on the Two-Year Anniversary of Covenant

We are amplifying the voices of Tennesseans who want safer futures for our families and loved ones. Your voice matters, and your engagement can make a difference.

Visit safertn.org/covenant to send a postcard or make a phone call urging lawmakers to prioritize firearm safety. We’ve made it easy—our website provides ready-to-use scripts, contact information, and guidance so you can take action in just a few minutes.

This work is urgent. This work is necessary. Together, we can build a safer Tennessee.

Spreading the Message: Engaging Civic and Community Leaders

Todd Cruse, Safer TN Board Chair, Mark Boyd, Good Morning Rotary of Dickson President, and Angela Redden, Good Morning Rotary of Dickson member and Safer TN Coalition Growth Committee member.

Last week, representatives from Safer TN met with Rotary Clubs in Hendersonville and Dickson, as well as the DuPont Elementary School PTO in Old Hickory, to discuss the urgent need for firearm safety measures, including greater education, in Tennessee. These conversations are a critical part of our outreach, as civic organizations bring together respected community leaders who have the power to inform and influence change.

By providing fact-based information and data-driven policy solutions, we empower these local leaders to become advocates for safer communities. When engaged, they help amplify our message, bringing firearm safety discussions into broader public conversations and ensuring that more Tennesseans understand both the scope of the crisis and the pragmatic steps we can take to address it.

We want to keep expanding these efforts. If you’re a member of a Rotary, Kiwanis, PTO, League of Women Voters, or another civic organization, we’d love to meet with your group and share how we can work together for a safer Tennessee.

To schedule a presentation, contact Emily at emily@safertn.org. Let’s continue building momentum and engaging more voices in this important movement!

Legislative Tracker

There are a number of committees this week that have critical firearms legislation before them. While we have seen bills pretty regularly rolled to later hearing dates, Wednesday is the Tennessee Firearms Association’s day on the hill so we know some firearm legislation will see action that day. The House Civil Justice Subcommittee hearing at 1:30pm on Wednesday is specifically a gun legislation calendar.

Up this week, we are closely tracking dangerous legislation (HB478) that would make our communities less safe by removing penalties for carrying a firearm into posted places of business – including restaurants, bars, hospitals and airports. This undercuts posting laws and infringes on private property rights.

Other bills we are tracking this week include concerning bills that would lower the standard for the use of deadly force to protect property (HB856) and prohibit a healthcare provider from inquiring as to a patient’s firearm ownership or access (HB387), as well as smart legislation that would make glock switches illegal (HB1093) and criminalize threats of mass violence (HB1314). Read the full list of legislation we’re following below.

Week of March 24^th – Committees and Bills We’re Tracking

Monday, March 24:

12:00pm – Senate Judiciary Committee, Senate Hearing Rm I, Agenda & Livestream

8. SB0944 by Massey. (HB1089 by Sexton.) Criminal Offenses – Amends TCA Title 33; Title 39 and Title 40. As amended, House Criminal Justice Subcommittee amendment 1 (004598) requires the court to order a person convicted of domestic assault, child abuse, child neglect or endangerment, aggravated child abuse, aggravated child neglect or endangerment, cruelty to animals, or aggravated cruelty to animals to undergo a mental health evaluation conducted by a specific licensed healthcare professional designated by the court.
11. *SB0222 by Jackson. (HB1027 by Russell.) Criminal Procedure – Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40. As introduced, increases, from 30 to 45, the number of days a sheriff has to provide the department of safety with any information that is within the knowledge of the sheriff concerning an applicant’s truthfulness on an application for an enhanced handgun carry permit.
17. SB1360 by Hensley. (*HB0873 by Fritts.) Civil actions against arms dealers, manufacturers, and sellers. Remedies and Special Proceedings – Amends TCA Title 29, Chapter 42 and Title 39. As introduced, removes the ability to bring a civil liability action for negligence per se against a seller of a qualified product; expands “qualified products” to include knives, body armor, pepper spray, silencers, and other certain products; requires physical injury for a negligent entrustment action rather than an unreasonable risk of physical injury; specifies that a person who will be subject to an ordinance in the future or reasonably intends to be physically present in the political subdivision is an adversely affected party for purposes of filing certain actions; makes various other changes regarding civil actions against arms dealers, manufacturers, and sellers and the preemption of local regulation of firearms.

Tuesday, March 25:

12 pm – House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, House Hearing Room III, Agenda & Livestream

3. HB883 (Todd C.) – CRIMINAL LAW: Revocation or suspension of handgun carry permit – judicial review of DOS’ final determination. Extends the time, from 30 to 45 days, within which a person whose handgun carry permit has been suspended or revoked may petition the chancery court for judicial review of the department of safety’s final determination. Broadly captioned. Fiscal Note: (Dated February 11, 2025) NOT SIGNIFICANT Senate Status: 02/12/25 – Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee. House Status: 03/19/25 – Set for House Criminal Justice Subcommittee 03/26/25. Cosponsors: Rep. Davis, Elaine, Rep. Doggett, Clay, Rep. Garrett, Johnny , Rep. Grills, Rusty, Rep. Moon, Jerome, Rep. Zachary, Jason SB914 – P. Bailey – 02/12/25 – Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.
12. HB0856 by Capley. (SB1407 by Hensley.) CRIMINAL LAW: Lowers the standard for the use of deadly force to protect property. Lowers the standard for the use of deadly force to protect property. Specifies that deadly force does not include the display of a weapon, the brandishing of a weapon, or the use of force in circumstances that do not result in death or serious bodily injury. House Status: 03/19/25 – Set for House Criminal Justice Subcommittee 03/26/25. Cosponsors: Rep. Crawford, John, Rep. Doggett, Clay, Rep. Fritts, Monty, Rep. Garrett, Johnny , Rep. Grills, Rusty, Rep. Martin, Brock, Rep. McCalmon, Jake, Rep. Moody, Debra, Rep. Powers, Dennis, Rep. Reeves, Lee, Rep. Rudd, Tim , Rep. Stinnett, Tom, Rep. Todd, Chris, Rep. Zachary, Jason. SB1407 – J. Hensley – 02/10/25 – Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.
13. HB985 (Warner, T.) – CRIMINAL LAW: Offense of possession of a weapon in a building or on property that is properly posted. Removes the criminal offense of possession of a weapon in a building or on property that is properly posted. Removes the requirement that the department of safety suspend or revoke a handgun carry permit for a violation of that offense by a handgun permit holder. Senate Status: 02/12/25 – Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee. House Status: 03/19/25 – Set for House Criminal Justice Subcommittee 03/26/25. Cosponsors: Rep. Barrett, Jody. SB824 – J. Hensley – 02/12/25 – Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.
50. HB1027 (Russell, L.) CRIMINAL LAW: Information provided by sheriff to DOS regarding application for an enhanced handgun carry permit. Increases, from 30 to 45, the number of days a sheriff has to provide the department of safety with any information that is within the knowledge of the sheriff concerning an applicant’s truthfulness on an application for an enhanced handgun carry permit. Broadly captioned. Fiscal Note: (Dated January 24, 2025) NOT SIGNIFICANT Senate Status: 03/19/25 – Set for Senate Judiciary Committee 03/25/25. House Status: 03/19/25 – Set for House Criminal Justice Subcommittee 03/26/25. SB222 – E. Jackson – 03/19/25 – Set for Senate Judiciary Committee 03/25/25.

Addressing Domestic Violence and Firearm Safety in Tennessee

Newly released data from Tennessee’s Violent Death Reporting System reveals a troubling reality: in 2022, nearly 200 Tennesseans lost their lives to homicide or suicide following violence or conflict in their intimate partner relationships. The vast majority of these deaths involved a firearm.

The data exposes critical trends related to age, gender, and location, reinforcing the urgent need for stronger protections for domestic violence survivors. When an abuser has access to a firearm, the risk of homicide increases significantly—making policy solutions even more essential.

The data also reveals key trends:

Victims of intimate partner-related deaths tend to be older than those in other violent death cases.
More women than men were killed in intimate partner homicides. Homicide remains the #1 cause of death for pregnant or postpartum women.
In cases of suicide, more men died than women.
Nearly 30 children were present during these tragedies.

We are closely monitoring HB 1210, a bill that would strengthen accountability for domestic abusers by requiring them to name the person receiving their relinquished firearms and have that individual sign a court-ordered form.

This measure is modeled after a successful policy in Scott County, where domestic homicides and suicides have decreased since its implementation. Tennessee is one of 19 states that allow third-party firearm dispossession, but only one of two that does not require the recipient to be identified.

Tell your lawmakers you support HB 1210. Urge them to take action to protect survivors and prevent future tragedies.

Strengthening Our Advocacy Efforts at a Critical Moment

On Wednesday night, former U.S. Senator Bill Frist, MD, hosted a legislative briefing and fundraiser in support of Safer TN’s mission to advance firearm safety in Tennessee while respecting Second Amendment rights. This event brought together advocates and community members to discuss the urgent need for action as we approach a pivotal time—the anniversary of The Covenant School tragedy and the height of the legislative session.

With gun safety policies under debate at the State Capitol, every conversation with lawmakers, every phone call, email, and postcard plays a crucial role in shaping the future of firearm safety in Tennessee. Our coalition is working tirelessly to promote responsible policies and prevent dangerous legislation—but we can’t do it alone.

We are deeply grateful for the commitment of our members, professional lobbyists, and dedicated volunteers who help drive this work forward. Their efforts ensure that evidence-based solutions are part of the conversation at the Capitol and that the voices of Tennesseans who support firearm safety are heard.

If you’d like to support our advocacy efforts, consider making a contribution today. Every donation helps us sustain this momentum, amplify our message, and advance real change.

Thank you for standing with us—we’ll keep you updated on our progress.