FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Corey Graff, Executive Director

888.202.1645

February 22, 2004

Veto Override Builds Momentum for Concealed Carry

Wisconsin Gun Owners, Inc. (WGO) — Wisconsin’s only no compromise gun rights organization — announced that today’s veto override in the state senate of the "shall-issue" concealed carry bill known as the Personal Protection Act (PPA) SB214, has built momentum for the gun rights issue statewide.

This year, gun owners will be scrutinizing politicians’ voting records prior to re-election over this most heated issue.   

WGO said the override puts gun owners on track for a repeat performance in the state assembly, a vote that could come as early as next week. If that vote passes, the good guys will be "packing heat," they said.   

"Gun owners are becoming increasingly sophisticated in state politics," said Corey Graff, Executive Director of Wisconsin Gun Owners, Inc. "Particularly where our God-given right to personal protection is concerned. Today’s override is a powerful reminder that politicians — both liberal and conservative — must respect our right to be armed."   

Graff said that right was "trampled on" in 1871 when state statute 941.23 was passed and outlawed the carrying of concealed weapons in this state. Other states with concealed carry have experienced measurable drops in violent crime he said, so the only safety issue is for those looking to commit a violent crime.   

"No one with a shred of decency or intellect could be opposed to self defense," he said. "And volumes of research prove that carrying a handgun is the most effective means to deter a violent attacker," he said.   

But the organization says there are problems within the bill that, if passed into law, would be subject to intense lobbying by their members. "The authors of the bill, Senator Dave Zien-R and Representative Scott Gunderson-R have shown an unacceptable willingness to compromise, forcing gun owners who wish to acquire a permit to have their names registered in a computerized database with the state Department of Justice," Graff says.   

Even so, if the bill does pass and WGO successfully "cleans it up to respect gun owners’ privacy," then the group will push ahead while other gun rights organizations such as the NRA remain content with the carry-by-permit system the bill would create.   

"Our next goal is to pass a Vermont-style carry system in this state," said Graff. "Which is a true application of the second amendment."

Alaska passed a similar law last year, under which no permit, fee, training or background check is required to carry.

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