Concealed carry permits down, gun sales up in mid-Missouri

Sheriff’s offices in Boone and Cole counties saw a sharp decline in the number of concealed carry weapons permits issued in 2016.

Maj. Tom Reddin of the Boone County Sheriff’s Department said 467 permits were issued in February 2016, but only 52 in October, 40 in November and 29 in December.

The Cole County Sheriff’s Department saw a similar drop in CCW permit numbers, with 339 issued in February compared to a combined 73 issued in October, November and December.

A new law took effect on Jan. 1 that removes the requirement for citizens in Missouri to have a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

Several firearm vendors in the area told ABC 17 News that they saw an increase in the sale of rifles and handguns in December 2016 and January 2017.