Concealed gun permits soar
By Myung Oak Kim, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Originally published 08:54 a.m., March 11, 2008
Updated 08:54 a.m., March 11, 2008
Concealed gun permit applications rose almost 50 percent statewide between 2006 and 2007, a rise attributed in part to renewals, according to the state sheriffs association.
In 2007, 9,880 people applied for concealed gun permits, compared to 6,649 the year before, according to the new report by the County Sheriffs of Colorado.
Don Christensen, executive director of the sheriffs group, said he believes the rise is due to people renewing applications that had expired after five years.
"I don't believe there's ... a fear of being out in the public," he said.
But El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa believes the sharp rise in applications in his county was caused by a reaction to highly publicized shootings there and across the country.
Maketa said applications rose 87 percent in his county, and most of those were for new permits rather than renewals. He said spikes in applications happened directly after high profile shootings like the Utah mall shooting, the Virginia Tech massacre and the New Life Church gun battle — all happened in 2007.
Maketa said he's not concerned about the county's growing number of legally armed people. In fact, he said he believes law-abiding citizens make the region safer by getting the permits.
"Actually, I wish it was a higher number, because I know from experience that offenders in the jail system tell me they avoid crimes against people because they know there is a very high concealed-carry rate," Maketa said.
About 8,400 El Paso County residents now have active concealed-carry permits.
The Colorado Springs Gazette contributed to this report.
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March 11, 2008
9:11 a.m.
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The_Punnisher writes:
There is another reason:
Gonzales vs Castle Rock
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/...
The one your " Protect and Serve " CIVIL SERVANTS " don't want you to know about..
March 11, 2008
9:36 a.m.
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Firefox writes:
The reason that permits applications rose in 07 was due to the law passed by our liberal Governor stating that out of state permits most notably Fla would not be accepted in Colorado if your permanent address was within the state of Co. I was one of the thousands who held a Fla permit and had to apply for a Colorado permit in 07 due to the new legislation.
March 11, 2008
9:52 a.m.
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RickyLee writes:
Oh geeze, this is such a huge problem....there ought to be more laws!!!!
March 11, 2008
10:16 a.m.
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forwhatitis writes:
Too bad this article isn't handed out in a newsletter to every county lock up in the state. Or pasted where all the graffiti is in our cities.
March 11, 2008
10:22 a.m.
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reddog writes:
Gotta have something to protect us against the gun toting gansters of Denver. Besides who can depend on our "finest" to protect us. Everyone should own a gun, now while you can.
March 11, 2008
10:39 a.m.
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Classof80 writes:
It is everyone's right to carry a concealed weapon as long as they fulfill the requirments set-up by the state. I too believe that armed citizens can be benificial to aiding Law Enforcement in the determent of criminal acts.
March 11, 2008
11:19 a.m.
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JustSayin writes:
Firefox - you have a problem with having to obey the laws of the state you legally reside in? Find something else to complain about - if you're a citizen in good standing, you'll get your permit issued here.
Just like the losers who move here and don't get their plates changed, or their licenses changed - you're just trying to duck your obligations as a citizen of Colorado and screw the rest of us - it's not about whether the guv is liberal or not (he's not, BTW, he's pathetically republican-lite).
March 11, 2008
12:03 p.m.
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MrJim writes:
JustSayin - while i agree that those who move here need to get there licences and plates changed, what FF is correct, what happened with this law is there had been a long standing reciprocation law which allowed CO permits to be good in these other states, and theirs were good here. Liberal Bill decided he did not like this, and the newly passed law had CO opt out of this long standing agreement. Why? So Liberal Bill could collect more permit fees. Has it done anything to improve public safety? Jury is still out, but I'd wager a big NO. Now, not only does FF have to get a new permit, but anyone who leaves CO with one will also have too.
March 11, 2008
2:32 p.m.
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Shaupeen writes:
This article gives us the number of people who applied for a permit, but how many people are issued a permit? Does anyone know a rough percentage? Or a total number of Colorado citizens that have been issued a permit?
Pardon my ignorance, but what's wrong with registering in your new residence? That sounds like a good idea. Is the permit something you have to renew annually, like a fishing license? Do you register just one firearm per permit, or can one person carry any firearm with one permit? I like the idea of a concealed weapon permit--their need is now painfully obvious--I just don't know a lot about them.
Thanks for the info.
March 12, 2008
9:56 a.m.
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RickyLee writes:
Renew every five years, I think.
Any firearm with permit, you don't register any individual gun.