Our hearts are with the Florida State University community and all those impacted by last Thursday’s devastating shooting, in which the son of a sheriff’s deputy allegedly used her service weapon to kill two people and injure six others. This tragedy is yet another painful reminder of how easily firearms can fall into the wrong hands — and how quickly lives can be shattered.
According to The Washington Post, the majority of school shootings in America involve firearms taken from the homes of parents, relatives, or friends. This fact underscores what we at Safer TN know to be true: secure firearm storage is a lifesaving measure.
That’s why we’ve launched a new public awareness campaign, including billboards across the state, to urge responsible gun ownership and promote secure storage practices. Because at the heart of a safer Tennessee is a shared commitment to protecting one another — especially our children.
This message carries even more weight as we mark a day bookended by two heartbreaking anniversaries: the Columbine High School massacre and the Waffle House shooting in Nashville. These tragedies — and far too many others — remind us why our work matters. At Safer TN, we reflect, we grieve, and we press forward.
Honoring the victims of two mass shootings
Monday is bookended by two painful anniversaries that underscore the urgency of our work. Sunday marked 26 years since the Columbine High School massacre, where 12 students and one teacher were killed—a tragedy that shook the nation and marked the beginning of a devastating trend. On Tuesday, we remember the Waffle House shooting in Nashville, where four young lives were taken and four others injured—two of whom were left unable to walk.
Since Columbine in 1999, there have been 428 school shootings nationwide—an average of 17 per year, or more than one every month, according to The Washington Post. Here in Tennessee, we’ve seen 93 mass shootings in the past five years alone, according to the Gun Violence Archive—that’s one nearly every other week and it continues to rise.
In nearly 9 out of 10 cases where the source of a school shooter’s firearm could be determined, the gun came from the home of a parent, relative, or friend.
Still, there is a glimmer of hope in the Volunteer State. According to the Tennessee Department of Education, serious incidents in schools—such as handgun possession and assaults on teachers—decreased during the 2023–2024 school year. But we cannot let our guard down.
Secure firearm storage is such a critical part of the solution. With this anniversary, we reflect, we remember—and we recommit to protecting our children, educators, and communities.
Spotlighting Tennessee’s intimate partner homicide
In 2022, nearly 200 Tennesseans lost their lives to homicide or suicide following violence or conflict in their intimate partner relationships, according to data from Tennessee’s Violent Death Reporting System. Most of these deaths involved a firearm.
That troubling reality has been reflected in headlines across the state over the past two weeks. In the Tri-Cities, a man was convicted of murdering his girlfriend. In Memphis, a woman was allegedly killed by her boyfriend. In Nashville, a murder-suicide claimed the life of a mother. And in Crockett County, a woman shot her intimate partner, reportedly in self-defense.
These tragic stories are part of a broader pattern. Most intimate partner homicides are committed with a firearm—making access to guns a deadly factor in abusive relationships. At Safer TN, we are committed to raising awareness and advocating for policies that help keep families safe, including efforts to ensure firearms are securely stored and kept out of the hands of those who pose a danger to others or themselves.
Advocates urge loved ones to speak up if they suspect violence in someone’s relationship. Asking questions, offering support, and helping connect people to resources can make a difference. Survivors are also encouraged to have a plan in place before leaving an abusive situation—leaving can be the most dangerous time.
Find more resources and tips for help at the YWCA.
Legislative Tracker
The TN General Assembly is wrapping up final votes this week, after passing a $59.8 billion budget last Wednesday. Despite the dozens of firearm-related bills introduced at the start of session, only a handful have made it across the finish line.
The good news: None of the truly dangerous bills Safer TN opposed made it out of committee. Additionally, two important bills for public safety – one that would criminalize threats of mass violence, and another that would make Glock switches and ammunition possession by felons illegal – have cleared major hurdles and are up for final votes today and possibly tomorrow.
Monday, April 21 (TODAY):
- Expect a Senate Floor vote on SB1296, sponsored by Leader Jack Johnson, to criminalize threats of mass violence. The Senate is meeting at 4pm for floor votes, and this legislation appears as #28 on the Regular Calendar. Watch floor votes live here.
- The House version of this legislation, HB1314, passed the House on April 15th by a vote of 83-11. Thanks to Leader Lamberth for his leadership on this bill!
- Expect a House Floor vote on HB1093, sponsored by Speaker Sexton. This legislation makes Glock switches illegal at the state level (these enable a pistol to fire automatically like a machine gun), prohibits felons from possessing ammunition, and requires 100% of sentence to be served for a person convicted of aggravated assault involving the discharge of a firearm from within a motor vehicle. The House is meeting at 10am today for votes, and this bill appears as #22 on the Regular Calendar. Good news for this bill, it received funding in last week’s budget bill, so if approved it has the appropriated funds to go into effect. Watch floor votes live here.
- The Senate version of this bill, SB1075, sponsored by Leader Johnson, is up for consideration today in Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee, which is meeting at 12:30pm today. SB1075 is #20 on the calendar. If it passes out of committee, it will be calendared for the Senate Floor. Watch the committee hearing live here.
To make it to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law, a bill must pass both the House and Senate.
Presentations in suburban/rural parts of Tennessee
At Safer TN, we’re passionate about connecting with and educating communities across Tennessee=about the very real dangers of unsecured firearms, the rise in firearm suicide rates, and the practical, life-saving steps we can take together to build safer communities.
Our educational presentations highlight solutions like increasing access to mental health care, implementing effective school safety measures, and ensuring firearms are securely stored and kept out of the hands of those who pose a risk to themselves or others.
Last week, we were honored to bring this message to the Montgomery County Health Council and the Sumner County NAACP, where we engaged in meaningful conversations and shared resources grounded in data and compassion.
Want to help us expand our reach? You can! Connect us with a civic organization, neighborhood group, workplace, or church — any group that could benefit from an evidence-based, engaging presentation on gun safety.
Just email us at info@safertn.org — we’d love to join you.
Passover, Easter and a belated Eid al-Fitr
Over the past several weeks, many across the U.S. have observed sacred holidays and traditions — from Good Friday and Easter, to Passover, to Eid al-Fitr. We hope everyone who celebrated found moments of peace, connection, and joy with family, friends, neighbors, and their wider communities.
At Safer TN, these moments remind us why we do this work: because everyone deserves to be safe — safe while celebrating milestones of faith and culture, safe in their schools and homes, and safe as they move through the world. It’s not about politics or partisanship — it’s about people. No matter your religion, beliefs, age, or background, your right to safety is non-negotiable.
If you’re feeling alone in your concern, or want to connect with others who share your values, reach out! We’re building a movement grounded in compassion, data, and real community action — and we’d love for you to be part of it.
Follow us on social media, email us at info@safertn.org, or consider making a donation to support our work. Together, we’re creating a safer Tennessee — for everyone.
