Welcome Kansas!

These two women will finally be equal under the law. Qualified Kansans will be able to carry concealed handguns as early as January 2007 under a bill put into law today, despite Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ veto. "Having received the required two-thirds majority, this measure is hearby declared passed over the Governor's veto," House Speaker Doug Mays declared after the measure passed. Representatives throughout the House broke into applause.

The House overrode the Governor's veto, 91-33, today and 30-10 in the Senate yesterday. Both votes exceeded the two-thirds majorities needed to beat back a veto. Under the bill, Kansas residents 21 or older with no criminal background or history of mental illness or drug abuse could obtain a four-year permit after completing an eight-hour training course. The law takes effect July 1, but it will take several months to ramp up the administrative process to grant permits.

Sponsors Rep. Candy Ruff, D-Leavenworth, and Sen. Phil Journey, R-Haysville, were pleased. “Kansans are going to be safer,” Senator Journey said. “Many criminals are rational human beings, and when they realize there is a good chance that they could get shot committing a violent crime, they’ll probably decide to do something else.”

Ruff said she pushed for the proposal at the request of two rape victims in her district. She said the law gives Kansans a choice. “If somebody feels a need or is compelled for their own individual reasons to carry a concealed firearm, now they can do so, if they are law abiding citizens,” Representative Ruff said.

Kansas becomes the 47th state with some form of Right-to-Carry, 35 of which are "Shall Issue" states. There are now only three states that do not allow any form of Right-to-Carry; Nebraska, Illinois and Wisconsin have yet to pass such self-defense legislation. Congratulations Kansas, on joining the free world!