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In Your StateTennessee

In Your State

Tennessee

Tennessee has had at least 99 mass shootings since 2020 and guns are the number one leading cause of death of children. Lawmakers must do more to keep kids safe from gun violence. Learn more about what you can do to help in your state and community.

Take Action Now

Join us right now and urge your representatives to make Tennessee safer by passing Temporary Transfer Laws.

Tennessee had the

6th

highest firearm death rate in the U.S.

Gun fire was the

1st

leading cause of death for Tennessee children.

Data from the last reported year. See sources.

Tennessee had the

6th

highest firearm death rate in the U.S.

Gun fire was the

1st

leading cause of death for Tennessee children.

Take Action Now

Join us right now and urge your representatives to make Tennessee safer by passing Temporary Transfer Laws.

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Pass Temporary Transfer Laws

Everyone experiences temporary moments of crisis. When that crisis is combined with a firearm, the outcomes can be deadly. Temporary transfer supports gun owners in crisis while protecting their rights and gets them help before things turn tragic.

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95

children died by gun fire.

878

Tennesseans died by suicide with a firearm.

18

mass shootings.

Data from the last reported year. See sources.

School Shooting in Tennessee

Among the mass shootings in Tennessee was the Covenant School shooting in Nashville. In March 2023, three students and three adults were killed at the school, which serves young children in Pre-k through sixth grade. Soon after, key warning signs emerged that preceded the attack.

The shooter legally purchased seven guns, even though their parents believed that the shooter “should not own weapons.” The shooter reportedly had a history of suicide ideation and reached out to an old middle-school friend with a “suicide note” immediately before entering the school. The friend contacted a suicide prevention hotline and was told to contact police. She contacted police but they failed to arrive at her home to investigate until after the mass shooting.

Read our Statement

Gun Laws in Tennessee

Enhanced background checks
Restricts certain semi-automatic rifles
Secure storage
Temporary transfer

Volunteer for Tennessee

Want to get more involved and help create change in Tennessee? Sign up to become a Promise Leader. Promise Leaders are dedicated Sandy Hook Promise volunteers who take meaningful action to keep children safe. By volunteering, you play a powerful role in creating safer schools, homes and communities.

Volunteer

Our Impact in Tennessee

Throughout Tennessee, Sandy Hook Promise has engaged youth & adults in our mission and prevention programs.

175k

Supporters in the state

353

Volunteer Promise Leaders who help raise awareness & engage communities

177k

Program participants, including repeats, in 409 schools

150

Students involved in 9 SAVE Promise Clubs throughout the state

Prevent gun violence in Tennessee

You can help make Tennessee a safe place for kids and for your whole community. We urge the legislature to pass proven policy solutions, including emergency temporary transfer, secure storage, and closing the stranger-to-stranger loophole to prevent gun violence and tragedy. These policies keep the public safe from harm while protecting individual rights.

State Issue

Everyone experiences temporary moments of crisis. When that crisis is combined with a firearm, the outcomes can be deadly. Temporary transfer supports gun owners in crisis while protecting their rights and gets them help before things turn tragic.
Take Action
State Issue

A deadly loophole allows guns to be sold between a seller and a buyer who don’t know each other – and no background check is required. Tennessee can close this “stranger-to-stranger” loophole and expand background checks to prevent dangerous people from buying guns.
Take Action
State Issue

Too often, children accidentally find firearms in their home. This can lead to the death of themselves and family members. Secure storage laws can prevent these tragedies and make it easier for gun owners to keep firearms away from their young sons and daughters.
Take Action
Mark Barden
“We are proud to work with the bipartisan champions to ensure we're doing everything we can to protect our kids and that millions more students will be trained to know the signs of violence and act to save lives. Our work does not end here, we will continue to bring our prevention programs to schools and communities across the country and advocate for life-saving policies.”
Mark BardenSandy Hook Promise Co-Founder and Co-CEO

News and Resources

Stay informed about current issues and stories about preventing gun violence and promoting school safety.

Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Ohio Festival ShootingRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Mass Shooting in IowaRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Youth-Involved Shootings in Several U.S. CitiesRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Thanks House Appropriators for Approving Increased STOP FundingRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Weekend Mass Shootings in Texas and OklahomaRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Applauds Increased Federal Budget to Strengthen School SafetyRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Action Fund Responds to Federal Gun Policy ChangesRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on the Murder of Eight Children in Shreveport, LouisianaRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Action Fund Applauds Kansas Legislature for Unanimously Passing the Students Safe at School ActRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Bulverde, Texas School ShootingRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Meta and YouTube Being Held Liable for Social Media AddictionRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Shooting at Old Dominion UniversityRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on the Verdict and Warning Signs Revealed in the Trial of the Apalachee High School Shooter’s FatherRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Mass Shooting in Austin, TexasRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Six Killed in Two Connected Florida ShootingsRead More
Press ReleaseNew Report Calls for Platform Transparency to Support Family Conversations About Firearm Content OnlineRead More
Press ReleaseFear and Disruption in Schools: Sandy Hook Promise Calls for Safe, Trusting Learning EnvironmentsRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Applauds Bipartisan Senate Passage to Advance Federal Funding for Safer SchoolsRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Mississippi Mass Shooting SpreeRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Applauds Bipartisan Leadership in the House to Advance Federal Funding for Safer SchoolsRead More

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