Only seven state lawmakers publicly support a controversial proposal from Gov. Bill Lee to remove guns from those who pose a threat to themselves or others, a proposal the Republican governor plans to push forward during a special legislative session next month.

Lee has repeatedly said he plans to move forward with his proposal, first made during the waning hours of the regular legislative session in April, when he calls lawmakers back for a public safety-focused special session on Aug. 21. Within hours of his proposal, Republicans bristled at the governor’s timing, as he called for a vote less than 72 hours before the Tennessee General Assembly was set to adjourn.

But now, after having months to review, digest, and discuss the plan at length with the governor, it seems opposition to the measure has only grown.

For this story, The Tennessean reached out to all 132 lawmakers on whether they support, oppose, or will wait to hear testimony on Lee’s proposal, as circulated in April. The Tennessean also identified other public statements made by members on the proposal. Only seven members were willing to publicly share support.

Tennessee gun reform proposal: Who backs, opposes Gov. Bill Lee’s plan (tennessean.com)

Obviously, you cannot count on the backbone of most politicians and the possibility of secret dealings plus simple lies.

Here is something interesting: The Senate is composed of 27 Republicans and 6 Democrats and the House of Representatives is composed of 75 Republicans and 24 Democrats which all gives us the 132 members that the paper reached. And although a handful of Republicans have admitted they want to hear the proposal, the staunchest supporters of the Red Flag law session are Democrats, but there are 30 Legislature members who are Democrats and only 7 legislators willing to openly voice their opposition?

It seems they are clear they do not gain anything by supporting Red Flag laws and it can come back to chew them in the nether regions.

Still, let’s keep the pressure, shall we?