TENNESSEE STUDENTS DEMAND ACTION JOIN COALITION OF GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION ADVOCATES FOR ANNUAL ADVOCACY DAY TO CALL FOR ACTION ON GUN SAFETY

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –  Today, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, participated in a press conference as a part of Tennesseans United for Gun Safety to call for action on gun safety during the Tennessee state legislative session. 

During August’s special session following the mass shooting at Nashville’s Covenant School, relentless advocacy by gun safety advocates, survivors, and students led lawmakers to reject legislation to arm teachers and pass a package to encourage gun owners to securely store their firearms. The gun lobby’s priorities failed in spite of aggressive efforts by legislative leaders to tamp dissent from gun safety advocates. 

“We’re at the statehouse today because lawmakers have the chance, once again, to pass gun safety laws and we’re demanding they get it right this time,” said Drew Spiegel, a gun violence survivor and volunteer leader with Vanderbilt University Students Demand Action chapter. “We deserve better than a legislature that chooses division over decency, money over morality, and self-interest over safety. My generation will never accept this crisis as the norm, and neither should our lawmakers. We have the power to change this cycle of destruction.”

“It’s simple: Gun laws save lives. That’s what will prevent these tragedies from happening and keep me from having to sound like a broken record,” said Ibti Checko, a volunteer leader with Hume Fogg High School Students Demand Action chapter. “Guns are the leading cause of death for my generation, we can’t afford for the next shooting to strike before we take action. The time for change is now.” 

Tennessee currently has the 12th highest rate of gun deaths in the United States and some of the weakest gun laws in the country. Twenty-one states — including Indiana and Florida — have already passed an Extreme Risk law. Guns are the number one killer of children and teens in the U.S. and in Tennessee. If Tennessee had the gun death rate of the eight states with the strongest gun safety laws we could save 12,514 lives in the next decade.

To speak with a Tennessee Moms Demand Action or Students Demand Action volunteer, please do not hesitate to reach out to press@everytown.org.