CCRKBA CONGRATULATES JOURNEY, KANSAS LEGISLATURE ON CONCEALED CARRY OVERRIDE

BELLEVUE, WA – The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) congratulated Kansas lawmakers, and particularly State Sen. Phil Journey, for today’s override of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ veto of the state’s concealed carry legislation.

Kansas becomes the 39th state where any law-abiding citizen will now be able to carry firearms for their personal protection. Citizens in eight other states are subject to police or judicial discretion. Only Nebraska, Wisconsin and Illinois still have no provision, and Nebraska is very close to passing a law. The Senate override vote went 30-10 against the governor’s veto, and earlier today, the House voted 91-33 to override.

“We’re proud of Kansas lawmakers in both parties who stood firm and acted swiftly to override the veto,” said CCRKBA Chairman Alan M. Gottlieb. “Henceforth, the citizens of Kansas will enjoy the same protection from crime as Americans in neighboring states. Senator Phil Journey is to be especially congratulated for his perseverance. He did a fine job of spearheading this effort.”

“The vote in Kansas,” added CCRKBA Executive Director Joe Waldron, “proves that it is possible for reasonable legislators on both sides of the aisle to work together for the common good. The Kansas law is a good, sensible step, and we are confident that before very long, the public will see just how well concealed carry works and how responsible licensed citizens are. It will also prove just how preposterous the arguments against concealed carry really were, and that the hysteria was simply wrong.

“It is unfortunate that Gov. Sebelius felt compelled to veto this legislation,” Waldron observed. “She’s going to have to explain to Kansas voters why she believes they are less responsible with their own safety than their neighbors in Oklahoma, Colorado and Missouri, and citizens in more than 40 other states.”

“While this law takes effect July 1,” Gottlieb concluded, “we’re hopeful that the attorney general’s office does not take another six months to work out the details of the licensing process. Kansas citizens have earned this. They deserve swift implementation of the law.”