A group of Covenant School parents have co-founded two nonprofits dedicated to protecting children from gun violence. The first is Covenant Families for Brighter Tomorrows, which will focus on education and mental health support. The second, the Covenant Families Action Fund, is all about legislation.
Standing in front of journalists at the state capitol on Thursday, a group of five parents explained how they’ll advocate for gun reform measures including safe storage, closing loopholes on background checks and limiting access to firearms for people who are a threat to themselves or others.
Melissa Alexander, one of the co-founders, said that they have met with dozens of state lawmakers to discuss gun reform ahead of next month’s special legislative session, which will address gun violence. She described order of protection laws as “a life-saving measure that could have prevented the tragedy at the Covenant School.”
Alexander added that the group’s members hold a wide range of political beliefs, but are united in their goal of preventing a future tragedy like the Covenant shooting.
“As a native Tennessean and a gun owner, I think it’s important to emphasize we are proponents of responsible gun ownership. However, I think it’s important to intervene when there are clear signs that something is wrong,” she said.
David Teagues, another co-founder, said that the measures they’re asking for are not controversial.
“It’s the fact that they’re not on the books already is what’s controversial,” he said.
“In the days afterwards, I was telling my kids that the good people are making the school safe so that you can be safe. I’m here because I don’t want to be lying to them.”
Rose Gilbert WPLN News Sarah Shoop Neumann, another Covenant parent, holds her son, Noah, while she addresses the press.
They’ve also been praying together every morning and say they will pray for each lawmaker over the 40 days leading up to the special session. The number 40 holds scriptural significance, and appears two dozen times in the Christian Bible: Jesus was tempted for 40 days and 40 nights in the desert; it rained for 40 days and 40 nights during the great flood in Genesis; Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights on the mountain in Exodus.
The families thanked Gov. Bill Lee for calling for a special session to address gun violence, as well as the people of Nashville for their support in the aftermath of the shooting.
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