More People Buying Concealed Pistol Licenses

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Story Published: Oct 22, 2009 at 5:45 PM PDT

By Melissa Wagner

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YAKIMA - Concealed weapons permits are hot sellers this year. Yakima County has doubled what is sold just three years ago. And the city's seeing more go out as well. It's a trend that started years ago, but the question is why.

If you live in Yakima County, it's getting more likely you or someone you know is carrying around a concealed weapon.

" We had lines of people 5 and 6 deep at our counter," said Chief Jim Thompson with the Yakima County Sheriff's Office.

The rush happened first in 2001, when the law changed to allow anyone to apply to carry a gun. It happened again when President Obama was elected. Thompson said, " We were actually inundated with people."

So why now?

" We see occasional spikes in renewals and those could date back to events that took place as long ago as a decade if there was a significant criminal event."

Yakima County saw the most significant jump in permit sales this year. More than doubling what was issued in 2006. And the city has seen similar numbers, Issuing about ten concealed pistol licenses more a year.

There are also a lot more people visiting shooting ranges, learning how to use that pistol to better protect themselves.

The owner of Sun Valley Shooting Park in Moxee told me he's definitely seen a spike in the number of people practicing with pistols. But he's not sure why. His guess is it's one of three things; marketing, the economy, rising crime rates or all three.

" We don't ask questions into why do you want a CPL because it's allowed in Washington State," said Thompson.

And there's still room for more. As long as you meet the requirements, the permit is yours.

It costs about $55 for a five year permit. And there are strict requirements to get one.

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