[Fcalerts-list] Kansas Legislature Overrides Governor's Veto of CCW

[Firearms Coalition Alerts List]

Congratulations to Kansas for joining the ranks of States that recognize 
lawful concealed carry.  The State Senate voted for the override by 30 to 
10, a margin of three votes.  The State House vote was 91 to 33, seven 
votes over the two-thirds required to override the veto.  The law goes into 
effect on July 1, 2007.

Friend Bob Hodgdon tells us that Governor Sebelius worked the phones 
furiously, calling every outstanding marker she could rustle up to have her 
veto sustained, but to no avail.  This is the second time Sebelius has 
vetoed a CCW bill.  Her predecessor, Republican Bill Graves, vetoed a 
similar bill in 1997.

It's interesting to look at the party mix of the vote.  Thirteen of 83 
Republicans -- 16 percent -- voted to sustain the Democrat's veto, while 21 
of 42 Democrats voted to override their own party's veto.  That's a 
sigificant breakdown of party discipline on the Democrats' side.  It's 
certainly not helpful to Sebelius's long-term plans.  She has been 
mentioned as a potential candidate for national office, perhaps even 
President -- a political point that may helped the CCW cause.  The 
Republicans may have found it easier to vote to override her veto knowing 
that they could be sticking a pin in her ambitions.

Regardless of the reasons why, the veto has been overriden and the bill 
will become law.  Congratulations, Kansas!  We consider this CCW permit is 
a good first step and look forward to further restoration of Second 
Amendment rights.

For the Second Amendment,

Chris Knox