NC - Gun permits up in Surry County
- From: Patriot Games <Patriot@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2008 07:42:38 -0400
http://www.mtairynews.com/articles/2008/06/22/news/local_news/local01.txt
Gun permits up in Surry County
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Fears over home invasions and other personal-security factors are
fueling an increase in handgun sales in Surry County, according to
local firearms dealers.
The number of citizens obtaining handgun and concealed-weapon permits
has been growing in recent years, based on figures from the Surry
County Sheriff's Office, which issues those permits.
In 2006, 216 concealed carry permits were recorded by the office,
which rose to 272 for 2007. But nearly 200 permits, 198 to be exact,
have been given out already in 2008, as of early June, with the year
not even half over. At the present rate, more than 400
concealed-weapon permits will be issued by the end of 2008.
The number of handgun permits processed - for weapons not intended to
be concealed - has been rising as well.
In 2006, 1,117 handgun purchase permits were issued, with the level
increasing to 1,169 the next year. As of early June, 599 purchase
permits had been recorded so far for 2008.
The permit totals have been reflected in increased business for stores
that sell guns.
?Our handgun sales are up from what they have been,? said Frank Davis,
the manager of Mullins Pawn Shop & Jewelers on N.C. 89.
?Ninety-nine percent of it is home protection,? Davis added of the
reasons people are giving for wanting to arm themselves.
Myles Rotenizer, the owner of the What Do You Want pawn shop on West
Lebanon Street, said that citizens of varying age groups are among the
gun purchasers.
?Some of the older people who are coming in are wanting to purchase
guns for security,? Rotenizer said, ?just because they are scared of
the way people are getting, more or less.? In some cases, recently
widowed women buy guns for protection.
But younger persons are concerned about crimes such as break-ins as
well, and the West Lebanon Street business owner said that in some
instances his customers actually have been victimized and want to take
steps to ensure it doesn't happen again. That number includes a couple
with a young child who had recently had someone forcibly enter their
residence in the middle of the night.
The deputy who investigated the home invasion advised that couple to
buy a gun, according to Rotenizer.
He added that the occurrence of a particularly violent crime or
similar incident in the community also usually tends to bring a
?spurt? in sales.
In North Carolina, the law requires handgun buyers to first obtain a
permit. Law enforcement may take up to 30 days to process the permit
and run a background check. Each permit is valid for five years, but
may be used to buy only one handgun. A permit, and background check,
are required for each weapon purchased.
Concealed-weapon permit holders are exempt from having to obtain a
handgun purchase permit. Local residents who apply for those permits
are required to take a class that teaches about the safe and legal use
of weapons.
?You've got to be responsible with it before you can purchase it,?
said Rotenizer, who recommends that all buyers receive proper training
in how to fire a gun.
While capabilities and experience vary from person to person, most
people who have gone through the permitting process are fairly
knowledgeable about the law and how to handle weapons, he said.
?A lot of older women know more about guns than some of the younger
men,? Rotenizer said. This is because many of those women grew up on
farms and have had experience killing hogs and other hands-on dealings
with firearms.
Rotenizer said that he will recommend a revolver for those who aren't
that knowledgeable about weapons, because of its simplicity and ease
of operation. However, others prefer an automatic weapon - it depends
on what each buyer is comfortable with, he said.
.
- Prev by Date: ! Have Gun Will Travel: Under Senator's New Bill, Concealed Weapon Permits
- Next by Date: 897 Days - Obama STILL Hates America's Troops!
- Previous by thread: ! Have Gun Will Travel: Under Senator's New Bill, Concealed Weapon Permits
- Next by thread: 897 Days - Obama STILL Hates America's Troops!
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
