Minnesota CCW: Concealed-carry gun permits haven't led to trouble in Northland

Duluth News-Tribune ^ | May. 28, 2004 | MARK STODGHILL

[jdege]

Concealed-carry gun permits haven't led to trouble in Northland

BY MARK STODGHILL
NEWS TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

Some people in the Northland believe they are safer today.

Others fear the opposite is true.

All because of a law that was enacted a year ago today.

That's when the Minnesota Citizens' Personal Protection Act, also known as the concealed-carry law, allowed permit holders to carry handguns.

More than 2,800 permits have been issued in Northeastern Minnesota. None of the region's five sheriffs reported a crime committed by someone carrying a handgun.

There were no reports of a permit holder pulling a gun during a case of road rage or during a drunken celebration.

Permit holders have been responsible, the sheriffs say.

But there also haven't been any headlines about how someone carrying a handgun was able to use it to save their life, or in any other heroic manner.

St. Louis County Sheriff Ross Litman admitted to being surprised that there have been no problems created by the law, other than more work for him and his staff.

"I haven't seen our community any safer, either," Litman said. "I think the likelihood of a problem occurring with more permit holders out there is likely. I think the dangers are going to increase."

Itasca County Sheriff Pat Medure and Carlton County Sheriff Kevin Mangan said there are few gun-related problems in their counties because many people were raised in hunting families and have been through firearms training. Firearms are a way of life for them, they said.

Lake County Sheriff Steve Peterson and Cook County Sheriff David Wirt didn't deny a single person who requested a permit.

Itasca County has always had a liberal policy for issuing permits to carry. Medure said residents there respect the permitting process and what it stands for.

"Better than 90 percent of people who have a permit to carry here don't actually carry a firearm," Medure said. "It's just the fact that they have the option if they so choose."

Medure said about 400 fewer people applied for permits in Itasca County under the new law than the old because of the increased costs for the permits and associated training.

Cook County's Wirt said he has seen no adverse effect from the law. "Hopefully, nobody will go out there and goof up," he said. "I predicted a year ago that it wouldn't be anywhere near as bad as some people predicted. But if somebody does goof up those same people will say, "I told you so.' "

Mary Streufert, co-president of the Million Mom March, fears the Northland is less safe because people are carrying guns.

"Eventually we're going to have a lot of guns in our community," Streufert said. "It's based on a fear that people are going to be hurt, when in fact very few people are out to hurt us. You don't really hear about crimes being stopped because somebody carried a gun. Because something has not happened in the first year doesn't mean something is not going to happen. Thank God it hasn't happened yet, but when it does I won't be surprised."

Lowell Rudd, a local gun-safety trainer and member of the National Rifle Association, believes carrying a firearm deters crime.

"Having a firearm does not require you to use it," Rudd said. "It simply removes the fear engendered by a situation so you can display the confidence that normally turns an attack. Predators attack those who move and act like victims so, if you know, if absolutely necessary, you can defend yourself, you don't act like prey."

Mangan and Litman both said the law has created a lot more work for their staffs.

As of Thursday, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Department had issued 2,001 permits under the new law, denied 19 and 11 more were being processed.

Sheila Ballavance, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office records supervisor, said that after the initial rush last year the department continues to receive about 130 applications a month. Ballavance said all of the 11 records clerks in the Duluth, Hibbing and Virginia sheriff's offices have devoted time to processing the permit applications.

Litman told St. Louis County commissioners last month that the concealed-carry law has already cost St. Louis County taxpayers $70,000 in administrative costs.

Under state law, the most a sheriff can charge for a permit is $100. Yet Litman said it costs his office about $139 to process and monitor each permit holder because of staff time spent on the required associated background checks of applicants. Of that cost, $80 goes to the four yearly record reviews for people carrying five-year permits.

The sheriff has recommended to local legislators that the permit fee be increased to $150.

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MARK STODGHILL reports on legal affairs and public safety. He can be reached weekdays at (218) 723-5333 or by e-mail at mstodghill@duluthnews.com.

[jdege]

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[Puppage]

Some people in the Northland believe they are safer today.Others fear the opposite is true.

Hey, "others".....how 'bout an example?

[Puppage]

"I think the likelihood of a problem occurring with more permit holders out there is likely. I think the dangers are going to increase."

I THINK....likely

Not one shred of evidence, proof, etc.

But, why let facts interfere with feelings?

[HolgerDansk]

Itasca County Sheriff Pat Medure and Carlton County Sheriff Kevin Mangan said there are few gun-related problems in their counties because many people were raised in hunting families and have been through firearms training. Firearms are a way of life for them, they said.

Yes, that's Itasca County, all right. Grew up in Grand Rapids, where hunting and fishing were a universal teenage experience. Most guys bought a firearm on their 18th birthday, if they didn't already get what they wanted as a gift. If not for the socialistic attitudes about economics, the Northland could be a very conservative place.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

"I haven't seen our community any safer, either," Litman said. "I think the likelihood of a problem occurring with more permit holders out there is likely. I think the dangers are going to increase..."

"...and no amount of evidence to the contrary will ever, under any circumstances, convince me otherewise."

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Another stupid "anniversary" story, so typical of lazy journalism.