November is here and a lot is happening. Big changes are coming at the State Capitol with a new Governor, Lt. Governor, and several new state legislators. We are encouraged by the increase in voter turnout and engagement we saw on November 3 compared to 2022. This newsletter features:
- Our October momentum
- Announcing an important conversation about youth suicide and firearm safety
- Inviting you to shop local and give early this holiday season.
#1 What We’re Tracking: Momentum in October
October was one of the biggest months this coalition has ever had.
Across Tennessee last month, Safer TN advocates showed up at 26 community events, welcomed 2,392 new supporters into the coalition, and put 1,129 free cable locks into the hands of Tennessee gun owners.
Our coalition has now grown to more than 40,000 members strong, and we have distributed more than 10,000 free cable locks to Tennessee gun owners since we began. None of this happens without you. Thank you for being part of it.
#2 What We’re Tracking: Protecting Tennessee’s Youth — A Conversation on Suicide Prevention
The Tennessee Department of Health’s latest suicide prevention report brings both hope and a challenge. For the first time since 2018, the share of suicides involving a firearm went down. That tells us prevention works. But young people have not shared in that progress. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for Tennesseans ages 10 to 17, and while youth suicide rates have come down nationally, Tennessee’s have not.
On Thursday, November 19, Voices for a Safer Tennessee is bringing together leaders in public health, suicide prevention, and youth mental health for a facilitated conversation on practical solutions and resources families can use right now.
Protecting Tennessee’s Youth: A Conversation on Suicide Prevention
Thursday, November 19 | 12:00 to 1:00 PM CT
Cressey & Co, 3803 Bedford Ave, Suite 105, Nashville – Join us in person HERE
Available via livestream – Register for the livestream HERE
Panelists:
- Dr. Tobi Amosun, Deputy Commissioner for Population Health, Tennessee Department of Health
- Paul Augustyniak, Past Board Chair, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Tennessee Chapter
- Dr. Katie Herrington, Clinical Director and Clinical Psychologist, Green Hills Family Psych
Moderated by: Mark H. Yancy, CEO of NashvilleHealth
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text 988.
#3 What We’re Tracking: Shop Local, Support Safer TN
This fall, some of Nashville’s favorite local stores are giving back to Voices for a Safer Tennessee. A portion of sales from each event benefits our work across Tennessee.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 11
La Ligne, 2514 12th Ave S | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.
10% of in-store sales and phone orders donated to Safer TN
Hosted by Emily Byram, Julie Eskind Galbierz, Lauren Elcan Ingram, Joey Nelson, and Kerry Roberts
RSVP: nashville@lalignenyc.com | Phone orders: (615) 649-8910
HART, 2309 12th Ave S | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.
20% of event sales donated to Safer TN
Hosted by mother-daughter duos Lori and Caroline Buck, Carlie and Marlowe Cruse, Katy and Eleanor Dieckhaus, and Virginia and Rosie Voigt
RSVP: rsvp@safertn.org
Tuesday, December 1
Bandywood Courtyard Shops, 2209 Bandywood Dr. | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Shop Patch, Dept, Bump City, Habit, Hostess & Home, and Little Gourmand
All money raised at this shopping event counts toward our Giving Tuesday goal.
RSVP: rsvp@safertn.org
Thursday, December 3
Bell Bird Books, 1208 Martin Street | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.
15% of sales donated to Safer TN
Hosted by Mary Ann Weprin
RSVP: rsvp@safertn.org
Saturday, December 5
Veronica Beard, 4017 Hillsboro Pike | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
15% of sales donated to Safer TN
Hosted by Jessie Morris Adams, Sara Morris Garner, and Miller Morris
RSVP: rsvp@safertn.org
Bring a friend and shop for a cause. We hope to see you there.
#4 What We’re Tracking: Stories from the Road
Our Community Engagement Coordinator, Katy Dieckhaus, shared this story from a recent event in Bedford County.
A veteran husband and wife, both of whom had served years in the military, stopped by our table. The husband opened up about living with PTSD and shared that he no longer owns firearms because of his diagnosis. His wife does have firearms, but she keeps them hidden and securely locked to help support him.
It was a quiet, powerful moment. They had already figured out what so many families are still working through — that secure storage is not just about protecting children. It is about protecting the people we love, at every stage of life.
We hear stories like this everywhere we go in Tennessee. Every one of them reminds us why this work matters and why we keep showing up.
Visit cablelocktn.org to order your free lock.
If you would like to volunteer at an upcoming event or have us speak to your community group, email our community engagement coordinator, Katy Dieckhaus.
Join us as a volunteer, or just stop by to say hello, at an event near you!
November 12: Jackson Woman’s Clinic Girls Night Out, Jackson
November 14: Community Volunteer Resource Fair, Trenton
November 18–20: Rural Health Association 32nd Annual Conference, Knoxville
November 19: Protecting Tennessee’s Youth: A Conversation on Suicide Prevention, Livestream
- Teenager killed, another charged after shooting in North Knoxville (WVLT) (Safer TN Advisory Board Member Beth Holman was interviewed for this story)
- Teen accidentally shoots self in Nashville (WKRN)
- Teen girl charged with homicide following Grundy County shooting (WKRN)
- 6 charged after entering vacant Jackson home, stolen guns found (WBBJ)
- Metro Nashville schools to apply for $4.2 million grant to fund school resource officers (WSMV)
- Erlanger gives out 2,026th gun lock for 2026 (WDEF)
- Majority of Guns Reported Stolen in Nashville Taken from Vehicles (Metro Nashville Police Department)
- 22 states have red flag laws. What that means and why it’s unlikely to spread nationwide (WBAL)
