Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed legislation Tuesday that would make it legal for Wisconsin residents who receive a permit to carry a concealed weapon in most public places, saying the bill threatens the safety of police officers and the public.

In his veto message to legislators, Doyle said the amended bill still had serious flaws and was “unworkable.” He added that while it prohibited guns in places like schools and youth sports games, they are still allowed in shopping malls, concert venues and the state Capitol. He concluded by saying that lifting the state’s 133-year-old ban on carrying concealed weapons is “neither warranted nor appropriate.”

Doyle urged legislators in both parties to get back to work on his job creation agenda.

“This bill doesn’t create a single job, doesn’t help a single Wisconsin citizen afford healthcare and doesn’t improve schools for a single Wisconsin child,” Doyle said. “It’s time for the Legislature to get back to the serious work of solving problems that face Wisconsin families, instead of catering to the wishes of extremist special-interest groups.”

Sen. Dave Zien, R-Eau Claire and co-author of the bill, said the state Senate will attempt to override Doyle’s veto in the next few weeks. Only 22 Senate votes are needed to meet the two-thirds majority to override the veto; 66 votes are needed in the Assembly.

“The governor ignored the vote of the people’s elected representatives; he ignored the success of 45 other states; he ignored the facts about the bill; and he ignored the 12,000 annual reported victims of violent crime in Wisconsin,” Zien said.

Senate Majority Leader Mary Panzer, R-West Bend, agreed, adding that the legislation was carefully crafted to provide a measure of personal protection and safety for law-abiding citizens. She said a veto override is “inevitable.”

“These senators have already sent the message to their constituents that they support the Personal Protection Act,” Panzer said. “I think for a senator to change his or her position now and vote to sustain the governor’s veto on this issue would be political suicide.”

Democratic leaders, however, predict that some of their members who voted for the bill will stick with Doyle and uphold his decision.

Senate Minority Leader Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, said several lawmakers voted in favor of the bill with hesitation and are likely to side with Doyle because the Assembly’s amendments to the bill last week did not clear up any concerns.

“Those that were lukewarm about it … agree with the concept but not really with how it’s written,” Erpenbach said.

The Republican-controlled legislature adjourned for the year, but legislators could call themselves back into session at any time in an attempt to override the veto.

The bill passed the Senate last month by a vote of 24 to 8 and the Assembly on Nov. 8 by a vote of 64 to 35.

If it becomes law, sheriffs in participating counties would be required to issue permits to applicants who meet a series of requirements before allowing them to carry concealed weapons.

Viable applicants would have to be Wisconsin residents 21 years of age or older who have completed an approved firearm training or safety course and passed a basic background check.

The state Department of Justice estimated 35,000 people would apply for a permit in the first year after the bill would take effect.

Wisconsin is one of five states currently without a law allowing residents with permits to carry concealed weapons. Three states have enacted concealed carry laws this year, including Minnesota.