BELLEVUE, WA—The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms today applauded the 23 members of the Wisconsin Senate who voted to override anti-gun Gov. Jim Doyle’s veto of concealed carry legislation, and urged voters to call upon their Assembly representative to also support their self defense rights.

“This was an important vote,” said CCRKBA Executive Director Joe Waldron, “but it’s only half the battle. The Assembly still needs to override the governor’s veto, and they’re going to need 66 votes to accomplish that. Our contacts in Madison say a veto override vote could come as soon as Tuesday, so Wisconsin gun owners have no time to waste.

“We’re delighted that five Democrats courageously voted for the safety of their constituents, rather than buckle to the will of Jim Doyle,” Waldron continued. “Those who believe in their personal defense rights should thank Democrat Senators Roger Breske, Russ Decker, Julie Lassa, Jeff Plale and Bob Wirch for standing firm. We’re very disappointed that Sen. Mark Meyer of LaCrosse retreated from his initial vote in support of personal protection.”

Noting that Wisconsin firearms owners can take advantage of the toll-free Legislative Hotline (1-800-362-9472), Waldron urged supporters of concealed carry to “get busy on the telephones.”

“Self-defense rights activists, and those who believe their lives, and the lives of their families, are worth protecting, can make a simple telephone call and be heard on this crucial issue,” Waldron said. “It is imperative for firearms owners to act, and overcome the campaign of social bigotry currently being waged against their personal safety and their civil rights.

“Forty-six other states have some form of concealed carry law, and the majority of those states have effective right-to-carry laws,” Waldron concluded. “Wisconsin citizens deserve the same kind of protection. These laws have been proven to work everywhere else, and law-abiding Wisconsin residents will prove that such a law can work in their state, also.”