The state Legislature came one step closer to overriding the governor for the first time in more than 17 years Thursday, when the Senate voted 23-10 to override Gov. Jim Doyle's veto of a bill to end Wisconsin's 130-year ban on concealed weapons.
Eighteen Republicans and five Democrats voted to override Doyle.
The bill now goes to the Assembly, which needs 66 votes to successfully override the veto.
\Today, I'm calling on the Assembly leadership to vote on this issue quickly, so that we can get back to the most important issues facing our state: education, health care and jobs,"" Doyle said in a press release.
The concealed carry bill, taken up by the Legislature last October, would allow people to carry concealed weapons in public places.
Although the bill has been the most controversial bill this biennial session, five Democrats joined the Republicans in supporting the override.
""We didn't want to shove it down [the Democrats'] throats, we didn't want to be disrespectful, we just did the vote,"" said state Sen. David Zien, R-Eau Claire.
""The extremists of the NRA won today,"" State Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, said in a statement. He added the tone of hatred in legislators' demands Wednesday and Thursday was similar to the tone of people when the Legislature fought over racial inequality.
Senate Majority Leader Mary Panzer, R-West Bend, said in a statement the Legislature thoroughly researched issues surrounding the bill to ensure the safety of citizens.
""[The bill exempts concealed weapons] in a lot of logical places like university buildings, campuses and churches,"" she said. She added they wanted to have a bill law enforcement officials also felt comfortable with.
In his address to the Legislature Doyle said concealed weapons are not needed in public places.
Responding to criticisms that concealed carry could endanger lives of citizens and law enforcement officials, Zien said concealed carry reduces violent crimes by 7 to 8 percent, resulting in an average decrease of 1,075 violent crimes in Wisconsin each year.
The Assembly, dominated by Republicans, is expected to vote on the bill Tuesday.
""Those of us who supported [Doyle] are hoping the Assembly stays strong,"" said Minority Leader Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, in a statement to Wispolitics.
