NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 8, 2023) — Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN), a nonpartisan organization dedicated to prioritizing firearm safety and promoting responsible firearm ownership through bipartisan legislation, released the following statement regarding Governor Bill Lee’s official call for a special session on public safety:
We commend Governor Bill Lee for issuing the official call for a special session to begin on Aug. 21, 2023, at 4 p.m. While Tennesseans have voiced support for a broader scope of solutions to be considered during the special session, opening doors to discuss orders of protection, beginning to address background check challenges, and educating the public on the value of secure storage, are first steps in the right direction and mark the beginning of a process that will carry into the 2024 Tennessee General Assembly and beyond.
The challenges associated with firearm safety are complex and have worsened over many years. We know that it will take time to fully address and correct the dangerous trajectory we are on. We encourage the General Assembly to move forward during the special session with an open mind, acting in the interests of the thousands of Tennessee voters across the state who have made it abundantly clear that we want and expect change.
Fueled by nonpartisan support in nearly all 95 counties, our momentum is strong, and we will remain committed – this session and in sessions that follow – to advocating for:
- Temporary transfer laws that would allow authorities to temporarily restrict access to firearms from people who pose a risk to themselves or others
- Stronger firearm storage laws that require firearm owners to provide secure storage and report lost or stolen weapons
- Consistent background check requirements across more firearm transactions to help keep firearms away from dangerous people who are not legally allowed to own them
Tennesseans’ voices are important now more than ever. We will continue to actively engage in discussions with policymakers across the state, as well as with our friends, family and neighbors. Together, with time and dedication, we will find common ground on meaningful policies that will make our communities safer.
We look forward to working with policymakers now and in the future to create a safer Tennessee.
About Voices for a Safer Tennessee
Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition dedicated to prioritizing common-sense firearm safety laws and promoting responsible firearm ownership to make communities across our state safer. Safer TN was founded by neighbors, friends, colleagues and community members who came together with a shared desire for change following the tragic events of March 27, 2023, at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tenn. The organization brings voters and lawmakers together by leading conversations, sharing diverse perspectives and finding commonality to champion the bipartisan change that the majority of Tennessee voters support. Learn more at safertn.org.
