Gun bill passes by veto-proof margin

? Legislators will find out soon how serious Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is about vetoing a bill allowing Kansans to carry concealed weapons.

The Senate voted 30-10 on Wednesday to send Sebelius a measure similar to one she vetoed in 2004. Under the bill, qualified Kansans could receive a four-year permit from a local sheriff, though carrying a hidden weapon still would be banned in some places, such as courthouses, churches and libraries.

The Senate vote was to accept amendments made to the bill in the House after senators had approved it. The House passed the bill Monday on a 90-33 vote.

Overriding a veto requires two-thirds majorities in both chambers, or 27 of 40 votes in the Senate and 84 of 125 votes in the House. The question for supporters Wednesday was whether some lawmakers who voted for the bill, particularly Sebelius’ fellow Democrats, would refuse to vote to override a veto.

Sens. Roger Pine, R-Lawrence, and Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka, voted for the bill. Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, voted against it.