PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Exactly six months since December's elementary school massacre in Newtown, Conn., the fate of a gun control package introduced by Rhode Island's governor and legislative leaders remains undecided.
In April, Governor Chafee, state Attorney General Peter Kilmartin and General Assembly leaders proposed a nine-bill package of legislation as they sought to make the state's gun laws among the strictest in nation.
The package included a ban on certain assault-style weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines as well as significant changes in the how the state issues gun permits.
The bills have all been heard on House and Senate committees, but have not been voted on as an organized and motivated pro-gun lobby, led by the National Rifle Association, has kept pressure on lawmakers.
House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, D-Providence, said earlier this week that gun control remains a priority for House leaders, but declined to comment on the fate of specific bills.
"Everything is still up for discussion. Everything is fluid," he said. "That's my favorite word this year. Fluid."