Guns in Dangerous Hands
How Tennessee’s Justice System Allows Domestic Abusers to Keep Their Firearms
Tennessee has one of the highest rates of women killed by men in the country. Loose gun laws and weak enforcement make it easier for dangerous people to keep their guns, even if they are barred from having them.
Featured Posts in this Series
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How Tennessee’s Justice System Allows Dangerous People to Keep Guns — With Deadly Outcomes
Michaela Carter was one of at least 75 people killed in domestic violence shootings in Nashville since 2007. Nearly 40% were shot by people who were legally barred from having a gun.
Series Timeline
March 27, 2023
Six people, including three children, were shot and killed at a private Christian school in Nashville, prompting calls to tighten the state’s gun laws.
April 28, 2023
In response to the shooting, Tennessee’s Republican Gov. Bill Lee asked the legislature to expand a gun-control measure that was already failing domestic violence victims.
Aug. 17, 2023
We revealed that nearly 40% of the people killed in domestic violence shootings in Nashville since 2007 were shot by people who were legally barred from having a gun.
Aug. 21, 2023
The legislature met for a special session on public safety. But it did not pass any meaningful gun reform bills, including one to close a loophole that allows people barred from having guns to turn them over to a friend or a relative.
Nov. 7, 2023
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on whether domestic violence protection orders are enough to bar someone from having guns. The court later upheld the prohibition.
Aug. 12, 2024
We showed how one rural county in northeast Tennessee revolutionized its approach to domestic violence cases.
7 stories published since 2023
