Concealed carry permits on the rise in Mid-Missouri

Many sheriff’s departments across Mid-Missouri are seeing an increase in the number of concealed carry permit applications.

Some agencies have experienced such a high demand for CCW applications that they’ve had to hire extra staff and extend hours to accommodate the growing interest.

Pulaski County Sheriff Ron Long said the department has seen a steady increase in permit applications over the past three years.

The number of new permits issued in 2015 increase by just 14 percent. However, Sheriff Long said 181 new permits have already been issued since the beginning of 2016, which is almost one-third of last year’s new permit total.

A second clerk was hired a few weeks ago and the department extended its hours until 10 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. Permits will also be issued on Saturdays and applicants are now required to call ahead to schedule an appointment.

The Miller County Sheriff’s Department saw a 101 percent increase in CCW applicants from 2014 to 2015. They now issue permits four days a week rather than two. So far the department has had about 100 applicants in 2016.

The number of concealed carry permits jumped in Callaway County by nearly 300 in 2015. Lt. Clay Chism said the department didn’t have numbers available so far in 2016, but said its expecting the number of permits to continue to increase.

Concealed carry applications in Boone County increase by 50 percent from 2014 to 2015, which includes both new and renewed permits. Major Tom Reddin said despite the increase in applications, the department hasn’t had to hire extra staff or extend hours to keep up with the demand.

Some local CCW instructors are staying busy with the increase in concealed carry interest.

Jim Hill, an instructor at TargetMasters in Columbia, said they’ve had to increase the number of offered classes per month and those classes are filling up eight weeks in advance.

“It’s bad that people are scared, but it’s good that they’re empowered,” he said.

By the end of the month, Hill said he will have trained about 100 people to get their concealed carry permit since the beginning of the year.

Todd Burke, instructor and owner of Tactical Specialties in Boone County, said he started seeing fuller classes in December.

“There’s a concern for the crime that’s going on in our community and around the country,” he said. “Another reason people sign up is they’re concerned the way things are going politically in the United States. They’re afraid these rights may be taken away.”

Both Burke and Hill said their classes have increased to about 40 percent women. They’re also seeing students ranging from age 19 up to 70 years old.

“It’s not all about guns or carrying a gun,” Burke said. “It’s about self-aware and being aware to what’s going on around you.”