Posted on 07/23/2008 10:50:41 AM PDT by marktwain
A mother of young children. A retired corporate executive. A victim of violent crime.
Number of right-to-carry permits issued from 4/28/2003 to 12/31/2007 County Number Rate per 1,000 Dodge 166 8.5 Fillmore 160 7.6 Goodhue 387 8.4 Houston 246 12.6 Mower 233 6.1 Olmsted 1,140 8.2 Wabasha 287 12.8 Winona 487 9.8 Total valid permits in Minnesota: 51,347 Source: Minn. Bureau of Criminal Apprenhension
These are just some of the people seeking permits to carry handguns whom Sue Bierly has trained at the Minnesota Southern Sportman's Club in Rochester.
"They come from all walks of life and professions," said Bierly, a National Rifle Association certified trainer.
It has been five years since lawmakers approved a measure allowing easier access to handgun permits. With the permits issued the first year set to expire this year, area sheriffs' offices are seeing a rush of residents seeking to renew them.
First-time applicants
Meanwhile, Olmsted County Sheriff Steven Von Wald said his staff reports seeing more first-time applicants, something he said could be linked to news reports of gang activity and shootings.
"We're busier than the devil again right now, because it is five-year renewal time, and we've also got more people applying for it. I think the news in the community frankly has something to do with it," Von Wald said.
Fierce debate surrounded lawmakers' approval of the gun permit law in 2003. Opponents rallied against the measure in Rochester's Peace Plaza, arguing it would lead to more gun violence and crime. Meanwhile, supporters contended that carrying a handgun is a Constitutional right that would help deter crime.
An incident at this year's Fourth of July celebration in Rochester brought the issue of handgun permits back into the headlines. A 25-year-old man with a permit to carry a handgun is accused of pulling out a handgun while thousands gathered at Silver Lake for the fireworks show. The man told authorities he was concerned about a car driving through the crowd and thought it had hit someone before striking a tree. He since has been charged with a gross misdemeanor of dangerous weapons -- intentionally pointing a gun.
Should residents be concerned about handgun permit holders? Local authorities say no. Rochester Police Chief Roger Peterson said the July Fourth incident is the only case he can recall since the law was passed where a crime was linked to the handgun permit law.
"I think the fears and concerns didn't materialize, and I don't think (the law) has had a significant impact on crime, frankly, one way or the other," Peterson said.
Permit numbers
One thing is for sure -- interest in the handgun permits has proved to be far less than initially projected. Official legislative reports estimated that 90,000 handgun permits would be issued statewide within three years of the law passing. In 2007, 51,347 permits statewide had been issued, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. In Olmsted County, 1,140 permits had been issued through 2007, meaning less than 1 percent of county residents has a right to carry a handgun.
"It is not a situation that most of our population is armed," Peterson said. "Most people don't see the need to carry a gun in public still, which I think is a good thing."
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Wrong. All but the felons, children, and mentally incapacitated have the right. They are just not using it.
Submitted my renewal last week....
Carrying and carrying concealed are different. When Alaska began the concealed handgun permit a decade ago many predictions of all kinds of disaster or massive reduction in violent crime were put forth. After the concealed handgun permits were issued, it was noted that it made no difference at all to anybody or anything. NO DIFFERENCE.
Actually, not quite so true. As our good friend and author of “More Guns Less Crime” John Lott put forth, there was a significant reduction (statistically significant) in vilolent crime. It directly correlated to Alaska’s CCW program as well.
Get the book, read it, be informed, it’s POWERFUL knowledge.
Meanwhile over here in Illinois, the number of permits issued remains steady at zero.
Ya read my mind. In Rush’s immortal phrase, “words mean things”.
Colonel, USAFR
“After the concealed handgun permits were issued, it was noted that it made no difference at all to anybody or anything. NO DIFFERENCE.”
This is an example all states should follow.
JULY 22, 2008
Obama Backs UN Bill to Disarm Americans
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/110-s2433/show
Not true!
If you are an elected official or a part of the Democrat political machine you can get a permit!
After all, they have more rights than you, peasant. Now back to the mines with you!
***meaning less than 1 percent of county residents has a right to carry a handgun.***
No, meaning less than one percent bothered to jump through unconstitutional hoops to legally exercise their God-given right.
I’m good till 2010.
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