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Voices for a Safer Tennessee

Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN) advocates for firearm safety policies and programs that both protect our communities and respect the Second Amendment.

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Voices for a Safer Tennessee Launches Two Distinct Entities to Strengthen Firearm Safety Efforts

Jon Blankenship · September 15, 2025 ·

Voices for a Safer Tennessee Launches Two Distinct Entities to Strengthen Firearm Safety Efforts

Nashville, TN — Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN), Tennessee’s nonpartisan nonprofit organization focused on firearm safety, announced today that it has formally expanded its operations into two independent organizations to better serve its mission of saving lives through education, outreach, and advocacy.

  • Voices for a Safer Tennessee education arm: Our tax-exempt nonprofit arm will focus on education and outreach through strategic partnerships, events, and presentations. This will expand our ability to raise awareness, share data-driven solutions, and engage communities statewide to reduce preventable firearm tragedies.
  • Voices for a Safer Tennessee’s advocacy arm: This arm focuses on advancing policy at the Capitol, building strong relationships with lawmakers, and advocating for reasonable, responsible firearm safety legislation, including through strategic engagement during election cycles.

Each entity will have its own board leadership and operate independently, and will equip us with two strong, coordinated arms to carry our mission forward. Please find the names of each board’s members below.

“By expanding our organization with a dual focus on advocacy and education, we can strengthen our impact on both the public safety and policy levels,” said Claudia Huskey, Safer TN’s Executive Director. “Our nonprofit arm will help educate gun owners and communities across Tennessee, while our advocacy arm can lead strategic policy conversations on Capitol Hill. Together, these two entities will allow us to promote firearm safety more effectively than ever before.”

Voices for a Safer Tennessee remains committed to a data-driven, nonpartisan approach and looks forward to continued collaboration with communities, policymakers, and supporters across the state.

About Voices for a Safer Tennessee

Voices for a Safer Tennessee is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization with nearly 30,000 members in all 95 counties. We are committed to advancing firearm safety policies and programs that both protect our communities and respect the Second Amendment.

Media Contact:

Jessica Jaglois
jessica@safertn.org
615-613-1624

Voices for a Safer Tennessee 501(c)(3) Board

  • Dori Thornton Waller, Board Chair (Hamilton)
  • Nicole Floyd Smith, Vice Chair (Davidson)
  • Tim Sinks, Treasurer (Davidson)
  • Joey Nelson, Secretary (Davidson)
  • Rush Benton (Davidson)
  • Dr. Dave Bhattacharya (Hamilton)
  • Mary Ellen Brewington (Knox)
  • Katy Dieckhaus (Davidson)
  • Emily Ezell (Davidson)
  • Mike Ragsdale (Knox)
  • Clay Richards (Davidson)
  • Beverly Robertson (Shelby)

Voices for a Safer Tennessee 501(c)(4) Board

  • Todd Cruse, Board Chair (Davidson)
  • Tim Sinks, Treasurer (Davidson)
  • Lowe Finney, former State Senator (Weakley)
  • Katherine Merrill (Davidson)
  • Jeremy Nagoshiner (Davidson)
  • Lisa Rottmann (Knox)
  • Sam Whitson, former State Representative (Williamson)

Voices for a Safer Tennessee Advisory Board

  • Michelle Augusty (Davidson)
  • Dr. Michael Burcham (Davidson)
  • Bill Carpenter (Davidson)
  • Carlie Cruse (Davidson)
  • Dr. Trey Eubanks (Shelby)
  • Sen. Bill Frist, M.D. (Davidson)
  • Amy Grant (Davidson)
  • Vince Gill (Davidson)
  • Beth McCabe-Holman (Knox)
  • Milton Johnson (Davidson)
  • Ketch Secor (Davidson)
  • Teresa Sloyan (Shelby)
  • Clay Stauffer (Davidson)
  • Dwayne Tucker (Davidson)

Media Advisory, Press Release

Upcoming Events

Rhea County Coalition
Rhea County Coalition
19 May 26
Dayton
Nonprofit Council of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce
Nonprofit Council of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce
20 May 26
Oak Ridge
Murfreesboro Strawberry Festival
Murfreesboro Strawberry Festival
23 May 26
Murfreesboro
Signal Mountain Lions Club
Signal Mountain Lions Club
26 May 26
Signal Mountain
Monroe County Health Council
Monroe County Health Council
28 May 26
Madisonville

Past Events

  • Middle TN Cornbread Festival & Car Show
    Middle TN Cornbread Festival & Car Show
    16 May 26
    Smithville
  • Safer TN: Visualizing the Impact of Firearm Tragedies in Tennessee
    Safer TN: Visualizing the Impact of Firearm Tragedies in Tennessee
    14 May 26
  • Hand Up Resource Fair
    Hand Up Resource Fair
    14 May 26
    Athens
  • Cleveland Lions Club
    Cleveland Lions Club
    13 May 26
    Cleveland
  • 21st Annual Hardin Co. Chamber Classic Golf Tournament
    21st Annual Hardin Co. Chamber Classic Golf Tournament
    13 May 26
    Adamsville

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