On May 16, 2025, the Lawrenceburg Rotary Club had the honor of hosting Todd Cruse, the Board Chairman of Voices for a Safer Tennessee, as the featured speaker during their regular meeting. Cruse delivered a compelling address focused on the pressing issue of gun safety, outlining the organization’s mission to mitigate gun violence and advocate for responsible firearm ownership.
He began his presentation by sharing a deeply personal story connected to the tragic Covenant School shooting, revealing that one of the victims was his neighbor. This heartbreaking connection has intensified his dedication to the cause, highlighting the urgent need for effective measures to combat gun violence, especially among children. Alarmingly, Tennessee ranks as the third-highest state in the nation for incidents involving firearms among youth. Cruse emphasized that states with more stringent firearm storage laws generally experience lower rates of such incidents, making the promotion of safe gun storage a vital area of focus.
In addition to discussing youth-related gun violence, Cruse brought attention to the concerning statistic that Tennessee’s firearm suicide rate is 50% higher than the national average. This statistic underscores the necessity for proactive strategies aimed at preventing gun-related tragedies. The conversation also delved into the issue of firearm thefts in Tennessee, particularly in Memphis, which leads the state in the number of stolen firearms, with Nashville and Chattanooga following closely behind.
Cruse made it clear that Voices for a Safer Tennessee does not advocate for the confiscation of firearms; rather, it supports the Second Amendment while promoting sensible policies designed to enhance safety. The coalition comprises thousands of responsible gun owners, including hunters, veterans, first responders, and active military personnel, all working together to address the gun violence crisis in a collaborative and purposeful manner.
Among the key policy recommendations presented by Cruse were expanded background checks to close loopholes in private sales, ensuring firearms do not fall into the wrong hands. He also advocated for secure storage laws to encourage safe practices, particularly since many school shootings involve firearms taken from the homes of relatives or friends, or unsecured guns stolen from vehicles. Additionally, he proposed the establishment of a temporary transfer process, a law already in effect in 21 states, which has been shown to reduce firearm suicides by as much as 14% in states with the longest implementation periods.
Throughout his talk, Cruse highlighted the legislative achievements of Voices for a Safer Tennessee, which aim to strike a balance between the right to bear arms and the need for practical solutions to enhance public safety. The program was introduced by Rotarian Rhee Perry, who set the stage