Posted on 01/28/2006 6:40:53 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
(Assembly needs 6 swing votes in order to override Doyle's veto)
The state Senate Thursday overrode Gov. Jim Doyle's veto of a bill that would let Wisconsin residents pack pistols, clubs and knives in their pockets.
The fate of the state's 133-year-old ban on concealed weapons now rests with the state Assembly, which plans its own override try on Tuesday. The vote likely will hinge on six Assembly Democrats who broke party lines and voted with Republicans to pass the bill in December.
"Our concentration is going to be focused on the Assembly," said Sen. Dave Zien, R-Eau Claire, the bill's main sponsor in the Senate. "When people see both sides of this issue, they're going to be for us."
The Republican-controlled Senate voted 23-10 to override, jumbling party lines.
The GOP controls the chamber 19-14. But Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, voted to sustain the veto, siding with Doyle, a Democrat. On the other side of the aisle, Democrats Roger Breske of Eland, Russ Decker of Schofield, Julie Lassa of Stevens Point, Jeff Plale of South Milwaukee and Bob Wirch of Pleasant Prairie voted to override. All voted for the bill in December.
"The governor and I agree on a lot of things. But no one agrees on everything," Decker said.
Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, said the bill could lead to angry constituents shooting legislators. Senate Minority Leader Judy Robson, D-Beloit, accused Republicans of wasting time catering to National Rifle Association lobbyists and ignoring real issues like expensive health care.
"When are you going to start addressing the real problems of the people of Wisconsin?" Robson said.
Senate Majority Leader Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center, said Republicans will present a health care package next week and Democrats were the ones wasting time Thursday.
Wisconsin is one of four states that ban concealed weapons, along with Illinois, Nebraska and Kansas, while eight other states have very limited concealed-carry laws, according to the NRA. Gun supporters and Republican legislators have been trying to change the Wisconsin law for years.
Under the bill, state residents who pass firearms training and get permits could carry concealed handguns, knives, billy clubs and electric shock weapons in most public places except for schools, taverns and police stations.
Supporters say the measure would allow state residents to defend themselves from criminals. Doyle, a Democrat, said in vetoing the measure that it would endanger the public.
A successful override takes a two-thirds majority in both houses - 22 votes in the Senate and 66 in the Assembly.
The measure has the support of all 60 GOP Assembly members. If the six Assembly Democrats vote to override, the GOP would have the 66 votes it needs. If one of them flips and sides with the governor, the veto would stand.
The six Assembly Democrats - Reps. Barbara Gronemus of Whitehall, Mary Hubler of Rice Lake, Marlin Schneider of Wisconsin Rapids, John Steinbrink of Pleasant Prairie, Terry Van Akkeren of Sheboygan and Amy Sue Vruwink of Milladore - likely will face heavy lobbying from both sides.
Some of the most intense pressure could come from Doyle's office. The Legislature hasn't overridden a veto of a stand-alone bill in more than two decades.
"The governor is confident his veto will be upheld in the Assembly," Doyle spokeswoman Melanie Fonder said. "He does not think people in Wisconsin will be any safer carrying loaded weapons around."
But Gronemus, Vruwink and Schneider all have said they plan to vote to override.
That means it all could come down to Van Akkeren, Hubler and Steinbrink.
Van Akkeren has said he hasn't decided which way he will vote. Steinbrink and Hubler didn't immediately return messages from The Associated Press Thursday.
"CC Coming Down to the Wire" Ping!
Statements like this just makes my brain hurt.
WTH stops anyone from doing that now, Sen. Risser? CCW folks have to have permits - do you really think people who will go through all the trouble of paying for classes, getting permits, and all are going to jeopardize it all later? It's those who don't concern themselves with laws that you have to worry about, even now without this bill.
Fred's idiotic comments always leap right out at me, too. Fred should've been put out to pasture years ago. ;)
It that was the sniveling scared little weenie is worried about?
Bet it would be a shock to him to find out that the people of Wisconsin DON'T spend all their days thinking about him.
Looks like the blue state hell hole of Illinois will be the last holdout in the nation for concealed carry...
Whos fault is this?
Filthy lowlife scumbag shiiit for brains demomrats, and the biggest rat of all is mayor shiiitbrains daley
"Walking Tall" in Wisconsin!
Senate Minority Leader Judy Robson, D-Beloit, accused Republicans of wasting time catering to National Rifle Association lobbyists and ignoring real issues like expensive health care. "When are you going to start addressing the real problems of the people of Wisconsin?" Robson said.
It seems pretty obvious from the quote from Fred Risser that one of the major problems Wisconsin has is moron legislators. How about focusing on that problem?
All the curse words in the world aren't a good enough description for Daley.
Why would he think something like that, unless he sees himself as an imperial overlord and the citizens are peasants who need to be kept in line.
Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, said the bill could lead to angry constituents shooting legislators.
I live in Sen. Risser's district. He a hard left liberal whose been in the State Senate since the 1950's. Didn't Thomas Jefferson says something like "A whiff of rebellion is good for democracy." Free and armed citizens are always a threat to the left.
Let's see ... 2006 minus 133 is 1873. Coincidentally, that would be just in time to disarm millions of recently emancipated black people. One might wonder how long it was before anyone in Wisconsin had the daring to apply this law to a white person.
Interesting point, Mr. Tell. Very interesting. I'll pass that on to Mr. Risser (D, WI) Heh. Heh. ;)
If you'd like to be on or off this Upper Midwest outdoors list, please FRmail me.
"Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, said the bill could lead to angry constituents shooting legislators."
And his concern was .....?
"Or have the anti-gunners in WI tried to fly that lead balloon already?"
Oh, you bet. They're pretty sure anyone that LEGALLY owns a gun will be heading straight for sniper practice at the schoolyard. *Rolleyes*
However, dis-arming the FELONS that ILLEGALLY have guns isn't even on their radar screen...
..."Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, said the bill could lead to angry constituents shooting legislators."
And his concern was .....?...
He could call 911, just he expects his subjects to do when faced with a life threatening situation. :-)
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