Kansas CCW Vetoed

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bobs1066

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News from Kansas

Expected veto of concealed gun bill won't face override try, sponsor says
By Bill Draper - Associated Press Writer

Wednesday, April 14, 2004

Topeka — A House sponsor of concealed-handguns legislation that has been sent to the governor says there will be no attempt to override an expected veto of the measure.

Rep. L. Candy Ruff said Tuesday there are not enough votes to override Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' threatened veto, so there's no reason to try.

"We'll wait until next year and bring it back," said Ruff, D-Leavenworth. "This is the type of issue that doesn't go away, because it's that important. Forty-six states have already passed this legislation, so it's not unusual, odd or weird."

The House approved its version of the bill on a 78-45 vote -- six favorable votes short of the 84 needed to override a veto. The House would get first shot at overriding a veto, since the bill originated in that chamber.

Sebelius spokeswoman Nicole Corcoran said the governor has been very clear that she would support legislation allowing retired law enforcement officers -- but no one else -- to carry concealed handguns. The current bill "is not something the governor will support," Corcoran said Tuesday.

Under Kansas law, Sebelius has 10 days to act on a bill once it has reached her desk or it automatically becomes law without her signature. Sebelius' deadline on the concealed-carry bill is Friday, the same day the 2004 Governor's Annual One-Shot Turkey Hunt begins in El Dorado.

The bill on the governor's desk would require the attorney general's office to issue a concealed-carry permit to any Kansan 21 or older who is a U.S. citizen, pays a $150 application fee, has no mental illness or drug or alcohol addiction and completes eight hours of training.

The legislation prohibits concealed handguns in several locations but would allow them in the Statehouse, school parking lots and restaurants that serve alcohol.

Ruff said the fate of concealed-carry next year could depend on who gets elected to the Legislature this November and how strongly supporters feel about passing the measure -- even if it means Democrats having to oppose their Democratic governor.

"I do think that on this issue Democrats have got to realize there are some things you've got to stand up for," Ruff said. "You have to stand up and say despite everything else, ma'am, you're not right on this issue."

------
 
Don't be discouraged Kansans ... she hasn't vetoed it yet.


If she was so keen to do so she would have done it the day it hit her desk, so keep calling!


This veto will cost her (I expect it to cost her re-election).
 
I say that they ought to push for the override vote regardless of whether or not they think it has a chance. That way you get everyone on record once more, especially those willing to put party loyalty over doing what's right. You give voters a better picture of who to target come election day.
 
I say that they ought to push for the override vote regardless of whether or not they think it has a chance. That way you get everyone on record once more, especially those willing to put party loyalty over doing what's right. You give voters a better picture of who to target come election day.
Click to expand...

BAB is right. This is key. Kansans need to know who is willing to vote for CCW "for show" and who is willing to vote for CCW "for real".

Even though it failed here in WI, it will be critical information in our upcoming elections this fall.
 
This was posted over at Sigforum today regarding calls to the governors office. Marylanders, lets help out the folks in Kansas,like they helped us out in Feb. and March.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Guys,

Here’s the deal. The governor is poised to sign into law or veto HB2798 that would allow the citizens of Kansas to carry concealed.

I called today and the guy on the phone told me that the calls are approximately 3-to-1 in favor. This is not enough!

The Bill has passed the House twice and the Senate once.

It's just a phone call. IT'S EVEN TOLL FREE. She HAS to decide this coming week.

She has until the 18th to either Veto the Bill or it becomes a law. Publicly, she has said several times that she intends to veto the bill.

Here is the number 1-877-579-6757...that's 1-877-579-6757...once again 1-877-579-6757.

It only takes about 3 minutes. Call now!


Chuck
 
I'm still plugging along. Nick in the gov's office probably recognizes all the Kansas THR members by voice now.
 
I just sent the following Email to Representative Candy Ruff, <[email protected]>, the Sponsor in the House of HB 2798, with copies to all of the bills co-sponsors:

Honorable Representative Candy Ruff:

My wife and I have heard you speak quite impressively in favor of the subject on multiple occasions so it is with some concern that we have noted several recent press reports attributing comments to you similar to the following:

Rep. L. Candy Ruff said Tuesday there are not enough votes to override Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' threatened veto, so there's no reason to try.

"We'll wait until next year and bring it back," said Ruff, D-Leavenworth. "This is the type of issue that doesn't go away, because it's that important. Forty-six states have already passed this legislation, so it's not unusual, odd or weird."

We feel that such comments send the Wrong Message to the Governor while the matter remains under her consideration and we hope that these reports do NOT accurately reflect your intentions in this matter in the event that the Governor decides to veto the bill.

Similar legislation, in the State of Wisconsin, recently failed to override a veto by that state's Governor by a margin of only one (1) vote when one of the sponsors of the bill, a Democrat, switched their vote, in opposition to the desires of their constituency, to avoid opposing their Democratic Governor. Wisconsin voters are expected to remedy that later this year and the measure is expected to become law next year.

It is no secret that some legislators and legislative candidates are attempting to portray a false illusion of second amendment support in this election year. If the governor does veto this measure, we feel that it is doubly important to call the question in this election year and attempt to override any such veto. The attempt may succeed. If it fails, at least the voters will have a record of those who truly favor the measure for their consideration in the coming elections this fall. The electorate deserve no less.

One thing is certain. This issue will NOT go away. Civil rights issues never do.

Representative Ruff, we hope that you have not already decided to "throw in the towel" even before the Governor has made her decision. You have been passionate and quite effective in speaking on this issue. If the Governor does veto this measure, we hope that you will find the courage of your convictions to stand up against her and call for a vote to override such veto. It's the right thing to do.

Respectfully yours,
Click to expand...

Let's see now.... what can I do next...:banghead:
 
What do people think about our chances? Is it a good sign that Sebelius hasn't done anything with the bill yet?
 
Even if the veto-override attempt is destined to fail, I think they must take the vote to tally those legislators who are truly on board.

Rick
 
Last Minute...

Some of you here have posted that since Gov. Sebelius hasn't acted yet on HB 2798, that it may be working in your favor. Those of us in MO that witnessed a similar situation when Gov. Holden waited til the 'last minute' to grandstand a veto of HB 349 know better. I truly hope that Gov. Sebelius has taken this past week or so to review the facts and data on CCW, but I wouldn't be too optimistic just yet.

As far as the 10 days, I would think that if they are counting 'calendar' days, including holidays and weekends, that she would then have the power to sign or veto on a holiday or weekend. We will know by midnight this Sunday, and I expect that there will be many of us here watching her decision even that late.

BTW, what resources are there on the internet where we can get up to the minute info?
 
Just called her constituent line 1-877-579-6757 to let her know I am appalled at her decision to veto CCW and to make Kansas a safe haven for criminals. Y'all ought to call her & tell her much the same. Then call your House & SEnate types & remind them WHO they work for!
 
I sent her this, note the first statement from her website.

"Leaner, Smarter Government
I believe we can make this government work smarter and more efficiently, do more with less, and make it more accountable to the people it serves. "

I agree totally with this statement. I copied it from your website. I am truly sorry it was just words, and you did not mean it. Or maybe we do not consider accountable to mean the same thing. I understand your voter input was three to one in favor of this law, but you stopped it in spite of popular support.

I WILL be voting this year. I do not know who I will vote for, but I do know I will vote against you.

I also hope that you do not feel the pain of the victims that might have been able to defend themselves if you signed this into law.

Kansas ccw veto, Kansas the criminal safety zone.
 
Take heart, Kansans- Texas had it's CHL legislation vetoed the first time as well. :(


Texans vetoed Ann Richards in the next election. :neener: :D

Good Luck!
 
Take heart, Kansans- Texas had it's CHL legislation vetoed the first time as well.
Click to expand...
This is the second time. Republican Gov. vetoed it last time.
I'm still looking for the exact quote, but the Governess said at one time that Kansas already allows citizens the right of open carry.
I'm going to call / email her and ask for a signed letter from her giving me her blessings so I can show it to LEOS that would hassle me to no end if I even tried open carry.

From the Lawrence Journal-World:
http://ljworld.com/section/legislature/story/167434

Sebelius vetoes concealed carry bill
The Associated Press

Friday, April 16, 2004

Topeka — Gov. Kathleen Sebelius fulfilled a promise Friday to veto a bill allowing Kansans to carry concealed handguns, saying the measure would have placed law enforcement officers in an "untenable position."

advertisement


Supporters of the law did not expect to try to override the veto.

"That is something I don't think we can pull together," said Rep. L. Candy Ruff, D-Leavenworth, a sponsor of the bill. "We have an election in November and hopefully will elect candidates who support this issue."

Sen. Phil Journey, another prominent concealed carry supporter, said backers of the bill knew Sebelius did not view it favorably but wanted to get legislators on record before this year's elections.

"I think her veto turns this next election into a referendum on this issue," said Journey, R-Haysville.

The bill would have required the attorney general's office to issue a concealed-carry permit to any Kansan 21 or older who is a U.S. citizen, pays a $150 application fee, has no mental illness or drug or alcohol addiction and completes eight hours of training.

The legislation prohibits concealed handguns in several locations but would allow them in the Statehouse, school parking lots and restaurants that serve alcohol.

In her veto message, Sebelius said if the bill had become law, "Police officers, highway patrolmen, sheriffs, and deputies in Kansas would be forced to assume that any person they stop could have a firearm."

"This would make their already dangerous job even more difficult," she said.

Thirty-seven states have laws that require officials to issue concealed carry permits to qualified applicants and another nine have laws that give officials some discretion over whether someone gets a permit. Only Kansas, Illinois, Nebraska and Wisconsin lack a law allowing some form of concealed carry.

During her 2002 gubernatorial campaign, Sebelius said she would support legislation to allow retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons -- a position she reiterated throughout this year's legislative session.

"Anything further, however, would undermine the safety and freedom of all Kansans," she wrote in her veto message.

Kansas legislators approved a concealed carry bill in 1997, but then-Gov. Bill Graves, a Republican, vetoed it. In his veto message, Graves said such a law would result in more injuries and deaths from accidental shootings.

Ruff said Sebelius "is following the same misguided information" as Graves. She and other supporters of the bill said its passage would permit Kansans, particularly women, to protect themselves.

In her veto message, Sebelius said she supports Kansans' right to own firearms but does not believe a broad concealed carry law would make Kansans safer.

"I do not believe allowing people to carry concealed handguns into sporting events, shopping malls, grocery stores, or the workplace would be good public policy," she wrote in her veto message. "And, to me, the likelihood of exposing children to loaded handguns in their parents' purses, pockets and automobiles is simply unacceptable."

Ruff said the experiences of other states show that such concerns are unfounded.

"Her arguments were thinly presented," Ruff said. "The mothers in those others states who are permit holders have not put their children in danger. You simply don't have those dangers."

Legislators could override Sebelius' veto with two-thirds majorities in both chambers, but the bill passed in the House on a 78-45 vote, leaving supporters six votes short of the number needed to override.

The House would vote on a veto override first.

Asked whether supporters would pursue an override attempt if they thought they had the votes, Ruff said, "Sure we would, but we don't have them right now."
 
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