Slappy Posted January 12, 2009 at 08:28 PM Share Posted January 12, 2009 at 08:28 PM article Utahns quick to draw concealed weapons permitsFactors » Experts cite Obama's politics, sour economy and fear of crime. By Sheena Mcfarland The Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake TribuneUpdated:01/11/2009 08:59:04 AM MST Gun owners are flooding the state with applications for concealed weapons permits, with almost 45,000 applications filed in 2008, easily a record number, quadrupling the figure from just four years ago. With the surge, about one in every 25 Utahns over age 21 could be carrying a licensed concealed weapon, according to a Salt Lake Tribune analysis of numbers from the Bureau of Criminal Identification. In December, alone, BCI received 6,000 permit requests -- the highest number ever, capping a year with six record-breaking months. In all, about 71,000 Utahns have a license to pack a concealed weapon. It is estimated that another 71,000 out-of-state residents have a Utah permit. Experts say the sharp increase in the numbers can be attributed to several factors: national politics, the economic downturn and well-publicized shootings. Clark Aposhian, chairman of the Utah Shooting Sports Council, says gun owners, worried about the gun control stand of President-elect Barack Obama, scurried to get a permit. Applications poured in during the Democratic primary and saw a spike after the Nov. 4 election. "Sen. Barack Obama comes from a state that has, if not the most, then the second-most restrictive gun laws in the nation," Aposhian said. The prospect of a faltering economy leading to increased crime also has people applying for permits, he said. "People would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it," he said. Lt. Doug Anderson, Bureau of Criminal Identification manager, points to fear generated by mass shootings. "There has been some increase in violent crime, and when public shootings like at Trolley Square and Virginia Tech happened, permit applications began to spike up," he said. "But another reason why people are wanting to get the Utah permit is its wide-ranging reciprocity." Thirty-three other states honor Utah's concealed weapons permit and more out-of-state instructors are certified to teach the courses needed to get a Utah permit, Anderson said. The increase worries Steve Gunn, a member of the board of directors of the Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah. "People who carry guns or who even own guns should understand that a gun is far more likely to be misused than be for the protection of the individual," Gunn said in an interview. "People ought not to be buying or carrying guns." But that sentiment doesn't seem to be shared by many Utahns. Gun sales have seen a sharp increase over the past two years: 14,541 more guns were sold in 2008 than 2007. There also have been more requests than ever for permits to purchase special weapons, Anderson said, such as machine guns, short-barreled shotguns and rifles or silencers. To buy those specialty items, applicants must pass a background check to prove they have no criminal record and get approval from local law enforcement, Aposhian said. "These gun owners are worried they will be the first ones targeted by any new gun laws," he said. "They may not be able to buy them anymore, or, in the worst-case scenario, taken away. I don't think that's likely, but I can't put it out of the realm of possibility." smcfarland@sltrib.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BShawn Posted January 12, 2009 at 08:44 PM Share Posted January 12, 2009 at 08:44 PM Yep, that is another thing. Just about anything firearm related is really 'booming' right now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slappy Posted January 12, 2009 at 11:13 PM Author Share Posted January 12, 2009 at 11:13 PM Yep, that is another thing. Just about anything firearm related is really 'booming' right now! No doubt about it! Obama has unknowingly created his own firearm economic stimulus package!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BShawn Posted January 12, 2009 at 11:15 PM Share Posted January 12, 2009 at 11:15 PM Yep, that is another thing. Just about anything firearm related is really 'booming' right now! No doubt about it! Obama has unknowingly created his own firearm economic stimulus package!!!He sure has! I've commented previously that I plan on stimulating the economy by doing my part of purchasing an arsenal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armueller2001 Posted January 13, 2009 at 01:18 AM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 01:18 AM "People who carry guns or who even own guns should understand that a gun is far more likely to be misused than be for the protection of the individual," Gunn said "Gun sales have seen a sharp increase over the past two years: 14,541 more guns were sold in 2008 than 2007." If what Gunn said is true, than we should be seeing sharp increases of "misused" gun incidents right? And Utah should be one of the highest murder, accidental discharge, and suicide states, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paper Posted January 13, 2009 at 03:41 AM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 03:41 AM If what Gunn said is true, than we should be seeing sharp increases of "misused" gun incidents right? And Utah should be one of the highest murder, accidental discharge, and suicide states, right? And Chicago should be... Screw it.. We here all know what works and what doesn't.. I think I'll hug my Utah permit before I go to sleep tonight.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTIN Posted January 13, 2009 at 03:41 AM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 03:41 AM People who say this crap publicly ought to have to back up their claims with true facts,just like we are being forced to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BShawn Posted January 13, 2009 at 04:03 PM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 04:03 PM People who say this crap publicly ought to have to back up their claims with true facts,just like we are being forced to do.+1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slappy Posted January 13, 2009 at 04:07 PM Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 04:07 PM People who say this crap publicly ought to have to back up their claims with true facts,just like we are being forced to do. Good luck on that one... since when has the media been held to such a high standard let alone joe blow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-rock Posted January 13, 2009 at 07:31 PM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 07:31 PM He sure has! I've commented previously that I plan on stimulating the economy by doing my part of purchasing an arsenal Please do not use that word anymore. Governments have "Arsenals" Citizens have "Collections". Please correct yourself the next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tech141 Posted January 13, 2009 at 08:08 PM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 08:08 PM I actually have a 'cache'.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BShawn Posted January 13, 2009 at 09:32 PM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 09:32 PM Yep, that is another thing. Just about anything firearm related is really 'booming' right now! No doubt about it! Obama has unknowingly created his own firearm economic stimulus package!!!He sure has! I've commented previously that I plan on stimulating the economy by doing my part of purchasing an arsenal He sure has! I've commented previously that I plan on stimulating the economy by doing my part of purchasing an arsenal Please do not use that word anymore. Governments have "Arsenals" Citizens have "Collections". Please correct yourself the next time. I was going with the definition of:ar⋅se⋅nal /ˈɑrsənl, ˈɑrsnəl/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [ahr-suh-nl, ahrs-nuhl]–noun1.2.3. a collection or supply of weapons or munitions. so... Collection it is from now on ... well until I begin work on my 'cache' I actually have a 'cache'.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slappy Posted January 14, 2009 at 09:39 AM Author Share Posted January 14, 2009 at 09:39 AM Yep, that is another thing. Just about anything firearm related is really 'booming' right now! No doubt about it! Obama has unknowingly created his own firearm economic stimulus package!!!He sure has! I've commented previously that I plan on stimulating the economy by doing my part of purchasing an arsenal He sure has! I've commented previously that I plan on stimulating the economy by doing my part of purchasing an arsenal Please do not use that word anymore. Governments have "Arsenals" Citizens have "Collections". Please correct yourself the next time. I was going with the definition of:ar⋅se⋅nal /ˈɑrsənl, ˈɑrsnəl/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [ahr-suh-nl, ahrs-nuhl]–noun1.2.3. a collection or supply of weapons or munitions. so... Collection it is from now on ... well until I begin work on my 'cache' I actually have a 'cache'.... Its like the CCW is now LTC thing... connotation is the name of the game! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BShawn Posted January 14, 2009 at 03:58 PM Share Posted January 14, 2009 at 03:58 PM Gotchya, Collection it is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.