Gun compromise strains under pressure, with leadership votes saving two bills
Published Mon Jun 28 2021 23:24:34 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
by Ian Donnis
A compromise to move four gun-related bills to the full Rhode Island House and Senate strained under pressure Monday, as the sponsor of one bill withdrew it due to changes she disliked and the top leaders of both chambers had to cast committee votes to save two other bills from going down to defeat.
The drama in each chamber’s Judiciary Committee reflects how lawmakers remain divided on gun regulation, even with the control of the House speakership shifting over the last year from NRA stalwart Nicholas Mattiello to the more moderate Joe Shekarchi (D-Warwick).