Wisconsin PPA Update: Fight To Override Veto Fails By Two Votes

For the third time in four years, the law-abiding citizens of Wisconsin have been denied the same essential right to self-defense enjoyed by the citizens of 38 other states, including neighboring states  Minnesota and Michigan.  On Tuesday, January 31, the State Assembly, by a vote of 64-34, failed to override Governor Jim Doyle's (D) veto of Senate Bill 403, the "Personal Protection Act" (PPA).  The vote was two short of the 66 required for an override.

Casting numerous votes in support of the PPA in the past, Representatives John Steinbrink (D-65) and Terry Van Akkeren (D-26) put partisan politics above your right to self-defense by voting to sustain the Governor's veto.  It is regrettable these Representatives do not trust law-abiding citizens in Wisconsin to carry a firearm for personal protection.

The fight, however, is far from over.  NRA and other proponents of the "Personal Protection Act" will not stop until violent criminals are forced to think twice before deciding to attack their victims.  The momentum behind the PPA will continue to build until Wisconsin joins the vast majority of states by enacting Right-to-Carry.

You need to be a part of this continuing effort by actively supporting those legislators who supported your rights by voting for the PPA.  Become a volunteer on their campaigns and let them know the reason for your involvement.  Conversely, you must spread the word regarding those elected officials who do not trust law-abiding citizens with the right to self-defense or, perhaps worse, those who betray their long-held belief in defending "people's liberty."

Thank you to all of the members who were present for Tuesday's Assembly vote and to those who contacted their Legislators over the past few months.  If your Legislators voted in favor of the override, please be sure to thank them for their support.  If they voted against the override please be sure to let them know as a constituent, you will remember their vote at election time in November.  To see how your Legislator voted please visit www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/votes/av0462.pdf.  You can contact your State Representative and Senator at (800) 362-9472.

Also, please be sure to visit  www.NRAILA.org to find contact information for your NRA-ILA Election Volunteer Coordinator (EVC) so you may contact him to begin working on the campaign of those who support Right-to-Carry.