Democratic senators and representatives from Tennessee will be present Friday at the White House when President Joe Biden is expected to announce a new office on gun violence prevention.
The office will provide guidance to states on how to slow violence — and the stakes are high in Tennessee.
- Gunshot wounds are the leading cause of death for children in Tennessee.
- The state ranks 7th in the nation for firearm homicides, and is one of the most dangerous states for women killed by men.
- Tennessee cities also top the list for rates of guns stolen from cars.
The launch of the new federal office comes on the heels of a special legislative session in Tennessee where there was pressure to reform gun laws, but no meaningful action.
“After a crushing state special session on gun violence where no action was taken, this announcement is welcome news for Tennesseans who want new approaches to stop future shootings,” Sen. Raumesh Akbari, (D-Memphis), and Rep. Harold Love, (D-Nashville), wrote in a statement. “Tennesseans deserve better than what they’re getting from our state government so we are thrilled to play a part in this announcement and we look forward to helping this office realize its potential.”
While recent polling after the shooting at the Covenant School shows that Tennesseans want tighter gun control measures, the state’s republican supermajority have passed laws to make it easier to get guns.
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