Concealed pistol applications spike: 'We all want to protect ourselves'
YAKIMA, Wash. -- A clean criminal record, some ink on the fingers and a little cash. Getting a license to pack a gun isn't as complicated as you might think.
Lesli Baker is applying for her Concealed Pistol License and said she wants protection when she's away at school.
"I am a young woman, a young single woman who lives by myself and I work late," said Baker. "I would like something else that is more solid that can scare people away."
Lesli is part of a big push seen recently at the Yakima Police Department; in fact, applications have spiked.
KIMA pulled the numbers and found YPD averaged about 60 applications a month during the summer. That jumped to nearly 80 in October and shot past 100 in December.
"What could YPD say as far why there's more applications now than there was 6 months ago?" KIMA asked.
"One of the things that seem to be a common theme from the applicants themselves, is that they're concerned about getting the applications in and receiving that permit before any potential gun control measures might come into play," said Yakima Police Department Lieutenant Michael Merryman.
Action News dug deeper and found Yakima isn't the only city busier than usual.
Ellensburg says it's now taking longer to process background checks to meet the demand.
Sunnyside says applications there increased dramatically the week before Christmas.
Lesli planned to get her license before the school shooting in Connecticut, but understands why more people are doing so now.
"People tend to freak out when scary things happen," said Baker. "It's natural. We all want to protect ourselves."
And, this idea of protection is surging in popularity.
YPD says applicants technically don't need training to get a Concealed Pistol License.
Officers say there's no way to know if this trend will continue.
Lesli Baker is applying for her Concealed Pistol License and said she wants protection when she's away at school.
"I am a young woman, a young single woman who lives by myself and I work late," said Baker. "I would like something else that is more solid that can scare people away."
Lesli is part of a big push seen recently at the Yakima Police Department; in fact, applications have spiked.
KIMA pulled the numbers and found YPD averaged about 60 applications a month during the summer. That jumped to nearly 80 in October and shot past 100 in December.
"What could YPD say as far why there's more applications now than there was 6 months ago?" KIMA asked.
"One of the things that seem to be a common theme from the applicants themselves, is that they're concerned about getting the applications in and receiving that permit before any potential gun control measures might come into play," said Yakima Police Department Lieutenant Michael Merryman.
Action News dug deeper and found Yakima isn't the only city busier than usual.
Ellensburg says it's now taking longer to process background checks to meet the demand.
Sunnyside says applications there increased dramatically the week before Christmas.
Lesli planned to get her license before the school shooting in Connecticut, but understands why more people are doing so now.
"People tend to freak out when scary things happen," said Baker. "It's natural. We all want to protect ourselves."
And, this idea of protection is surging in popularity.
YPD says applicants technically don't need training to get a Concealed Pistol License.
Officers say there's no way to know if this trend will continue.
This instructor has also been suggested for training
John Farnamhttp://www.defense-training.com/
21-22 Sept 13 Basic/Intermediate Defensive handgun, Yakima, WA
For people who are applying, this is a shall issue state. Â The police department must issue the permit within 30 calendar days of application or they are in violation of state law. Â (assuming you meet State requirements as set forth in the statute)
Carrying a firearm is a big reasonability and should never be taken lightly.
The primary reason to carry a fire arm should always be to save lives and stop violence whenever possible.
I too am a strong supporter of the second amendment and could not agree more with Dave about people getting training before caring a firearm.
I have seen people caring a weapon âlocked and loadedâ relying on the safety.
To me this is a recipe for disaster of the worst kind.
I am very glad to see so many informed in the use of firearms.
And not being intimidated into remaining silent on the issue.
In a free Nation you should be able to carry the way you feel most comfortable.
As far as safety â I prefer the 1911-which offers more safety features than any other I have seen â tried and proven over a hundred years.
When a business is open to the public and they post that firearms are not allowed â essentially taking away your right of self defense; do you think they have assumed responsibility for your safety; or should you simply - shop some where else - assuming there is a business that allows you to defend yourself?
I agree when it comes to revolvers â caring with a round under the hammer has lead to many accidental discharges when dropped - especially in the single action models.
 @bigiron I carry a springfield xd and it has two safeties one on the backbone and one on the trigger and is 100 safe to carry with one in the chamber.
The term locked and loaded refers to the safety being engaged and one in the chamber again perfectly safe.
Neither hammer or striker can fire until the safeties are disengaged.
Often one does not want to increase the time to rack a round into the chamber or increase a chance of jam in a pistol causing a malfunction when fraction of seconds can determine the outcome.
The Second Amendment restricts the government from disarming the law abiding citizen, an issue often easily forgotten that our Government serves us and must view the citizens of the United States as lawful law abiding citizens unless otherwise proven in a court of law that they are not.
With that said each of us must take the responsibility of our actions and why I promote firearms training but not mandated by our government.
 @bigiron If you carry a weapon for self-defense how else are you supposed to carry it if not "locked and cocked"?  This implies that what you seen is sidearms with external hammers.  About the only firearm I can think of to not carry "Locked and Cocked" is a single action revolver, however this would be a pretty rare occurrence.  Most people in the last twenty years have been buying semi-auto pistols that are striker fired and have no external hammer.  The most common semi-auto is a 1911 which is designed to be carried "locked and cocked", or what knowledgeable people call 'Condition 1'.
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http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/tech/cockedandlocked.htm Â
I am very happy to see how many here support their right to be armed and hope everyone does daily be it at home or about town or both!I strongly support the issue of finding good training on being proficient in shooting and know the firearms laws http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.41 and know the firearm is a tool of last resort and only in defense of yourself or another that is in imminent danger of life.Look for a good training facility that does this for a living and not a side job.Find one that deals with training citizens in a self defense role not one that is just going to try and teach you from a police or military aspect, you are neither. One is at the Firearms Academy of Seattle in Onalaska, WA {about 20 miles west of Morton.http://firearmsacademy.com I understand there is another great instructor that comes to Yakima and I will get their name and website and post it as well. I did a search for firearms training in Yakima and just looking at their website I would not trust their training, you look and decide for yourself.Personally I have 7 years U.S. Army, 2 years Nuclear Security, 7+ years Department of Corrections in Yakima County and WA State all with firearms training and the civilian/citizen courses I received surpasses previous training to carry daily as a citizen.Good training is always good training and will protect you and your family before, during and after an event if one must use their firearm to defend themselves or another.