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The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments passed a resolution yesterday declaring that instead of encouraging its member governments to take more active approaches toward stemming gun violence, they should simply talk among themselves.

The Council of Governments took what turned out to be a controversial vote last month when it backed a statement from the International Chiefs of Police calling for an assault weapons ban and greater background checks on gun purchases. The statement, penned by Fremont, Calif. police chief Craig T. Steckler, was offered in the wake of last December’s massacre of 20 young children and six staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

Council members representing more conservative areas rebelled. Prince William County and Manassas, Va., even threatened to leave the body if the initial vote was not overturned. Representatives from the city of Fairfax, Va. and Frederick County, Md. also opposed the measure.

So yesterday, the Council of Governments reversed course and adopted a resolution that simply “encourages member jurisdictions to individually or collectively share their opinions on gun violence with state and federal legislators.” The U.S. Senate is currently trying to start debate on legislation that would tighten federal gun laws.

“Today’s action by the Board is an example of how leaders on all sides of a controversial issue can work together to resolve their differences,” Sharon Bulova, chairwoman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, said in a news release about the 26-2 vote. By basically punting the issue from a legislative priority to a discussion group topic.