Tennessee

In Your State

Tennessee

Tennessee has had 71 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

10th

highest firearm death rate in the U.S. in 2021.

Gun fire was the

1st

leading cause of death for Tennessee children in 2021.

Tennessee had the

10th

highest firearm death rate in the U.S. in 2021.

Gun fire was the

1st

leading cause of death for Tennessee children in 2021.

Take Action Now

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

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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children died by gun fire in 2021.

814

Tennesseans died by suicide with a firearm in 2021.

mass shootings in 2023.

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

Our Impact in Tennessee

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

38672

Supporters in the state

194

Volunteer Promise Leaders who help raise awareness & engage communities

80k

Trained students and adults in 176 schools to Know the Signs and prevent violence

Students involved in 4 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

Pass Temporary Transfer Laws

Take Action

State Issue

Close Dangerous Loopholes

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.

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State Issue

Pass Secure Storage Laws

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.

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“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