Gun Permits On The Rise
In 2007, the number of concealed-weapon permits issued jumped roughly 60 percent from the previous year in Virginia. And statistics for the first six months of 2008, show that most jurisdictions are on pace to surpass those numbers.
Most counties will double, and in some cases, triple the number of permits they issued two years ago.
In Rockingham County, 279 permits were issued in 2006, compared to 556 issued last year - a 93 percent increase. Through this June, the county issued 427, setting the pace for a 206 percent increase when compared to two years ago and a 53 percent increase from 2007.
Shenandoah and Page counties are seeing similar spikes, while Augusta County is one of the few counties statewide on pace to see a drop in new permit requests.
Rockingham County Circuit Court Clerk Chaz Evans-Haywood said after the first two months this year, and based on last year's numbers, he shifted the responsibilities of the deputy clerks so they could handle double 2007's caseload.
He's not shocked, however, by the increase.
"It doesn't surprise me that individuals want to assure that they have the right to carry a weapon concealed for their safety," said Evans-Haywood.
Court clerks are reporting similar increases throughout the state, including many of the larger cities and counties.
Chesterfield, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties are all on pace to break records, according to local statistics. In Fairfax County, 1,501 have been issued in the first six months of 2008; last year, 2,201 were issued; and, in 2006, 1,449.
Norfolk and Virginia Beach are reporting similar numbers.
