On the conceal carry frontlines are three Midwestern states, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Nebraska. Liberal anti-constitution Wisconsin Governor and Democrat Jim Doyle was quick to the draw in vetoing a conceal carry bill for that state. Expect much the same in Kansas where Democrat Governor Kathleen Sebelius, who has killed conceal carry in the past, is expected to shoot down Senator Phil Journey’s latest attempt to restore this constitutional right to Kansas citizens. Nebraska has better news, with their conceal carry bill making it to committee and some say may have a 50/50 chance this time if Democrat Ernie Chambers isn’t allowed to filibuster the bill into the grave, like he has done again and again in the past.

Wisconsin - Although many who vote democrat deny that party’s agenda to disarm the nation, Wisconsin is a clear example of how Democrats intend to keep their residents defenseless. Assembly Assistant Minority Leader Democrat Jon Richards has released a contrived report touting the ramifications of constitutionally armed citizens. Democrat Governor Doyle vetoed SB 403 last week, putting the freeze on conceal carry. State Democrats claim that 69% of voters are in opposition to conceal carry in Wisconsin.

Yesterday, (Thursday, January 26, 2006,) the Wisconsin state Senate successfully revived the frozen conceal carry bill with a veto override. The Senate’s vote was 23-10 with 5 Democrats going against Governor Doyle. Republicans still control the chamber, 19-14, with 5 democrats breaking party lines to support conceal carry. It brings new hope to citizens wishing to have their constitutional right of self defense restored. Now the bill moves to state assembly where 66 votes will be needed for veto override there.

Kansas - This will likely be a repeat of past events where similar legislation passes, only to be vetoed by liberal Democrat Governor Kathleen Sebelius. Republican Senator Phil Journey set the wheels into motion again with this latest conceal carry bill, although he told the press he was not sure when the bill would make it to committee. A similar bill passed in 1997, only to be killed by then Governor Bill Graves, who said it would result in more injuries and deaths from accidental shootings. Governor Kathleen Sebelius will stand firm in fighting to deny Kansas Citizens their right under the U.S. constitution to bear arms. Kansas does not allow conceal carry nor does it allow open carry of firearms by private citizens.

Nebraska - It may be a lady governor in Kansas trying to stop conceal carry, but it is a lady legislator fighting to make conceal carry a reality in Nebraska. State Senator Jeanne Combs of Milligan is an NRA member and true American, introducing LB454 and moving to end first-round debate on the bill. This is a small victory because since 1996 conceal carry supporters have been trying to get similar legislation passed, only to be held up by filibuster during debate.

Democrat Senator Ernie Chambers of Omaha has made a fine art of filibuster and vows to do everything within his power to prevent conceal carry passing in Nebraska. He is joined by Republican Marian Price of Lincoln, who is working against her own party to stop conceal carry. Anti-constitutionalist Marian Price described herself as a “tough old bird” and was quoted in saying, “I’m so solid in my opposition, they just leave me alone.” Based on another comment she made she likes to smile at those fighting to defend the constitution of the United States and give Nebraska citizens back their basic American freedoms. This is not the kind of “tough bird” a republican legislator should be. Many Nebraska Republicans do not consider Senator Price a republican at all, because she consistently votes with democrats.

In all three states the majority of Democrats are working against firearms owners and constitutional freedom. However, in some events, a few democrats have broke from partisan party lines and recognized the value in restoration of this constitutionally granted right. In contrast, a few RINO (Republican In Name Only) politicians are working with liberal democrats to deny citizens the right of conceal carry.

Remember that in these Midwestern states where conceal carry legislation is being sought, the legislation is very well crafted to prevent abuse and crime. There are provisions requiring criminal background checks, safety course completion, proper training, and restrictions pertaining to where conceal carry will be permitted.

These bills are a valuable first step in restoring 2nd amendment rights in these oppressive states. They are built on the principle of arming the law-abiding citizen in a safe manner and only after criminal background checks and proper education has been completed and verified. Remember, the criminals arm themselves, yet these state governments have disarmed the now defenseless law-abiding citizens.

At the end of the day both sides of this debate are able to produce studies and statistics in support of their position. However, we have seen the ramifications of citizen disarmament, which was a disaster for the United Kingdom, where violent crime is out of control. It is time for politicians to stop and recognize the wisdom of our nation’s founding fathers and honor the U.S. Constitution as it was written, with original intent. Any state denying law-abiding citizens the right to bear arms, concealed or open, is in direct violation of the U.S. constitution.