More Tennesseans are applying for handgun carry permits than at any other time since the state began issuing licenses for concealed weapons.
From the first quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of this year, the Department of Safety has seen a 120% increase in the number of applications.
Handgun permit manager Lisa Knight says her 8-person office has been so overwhelmed, she’s brought on seven temporary employees to answer the phones.
“Right now we’re having a high volume of calls because it’s taking so long to issue the permits. People think once they apply, they’ll just turn around and get their permit immediately, and it’s taking the full 90 days.”
While taking more time, still less than 1% of applicants are denied following a background check. Knight says applicants are also asking about changes in state law which now allow guns in bars and state parks.
As of May 8th, nearly 232,000 Tennesseans held active handgun permits. That’s an increase of 40,000 compared with last year. And Knight says the figures are headed up because all of the applications that came in the first three months of this year are just now going out the door.
The rural counties of Crockett, Hancock, and Picket have had the largest increase in permits issued this year.
See the county-by-county tables.
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