Permits to carry concealed guns increase here

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The oil boom in western North Dakota has had more of an effect on the number of concealed weapons permits issued here than the recent shooting in Connecticut, law enforcement officials here say.

In 2012, 189 concealed weapons permits were issued in Stutsman County, up significantly from 2011’s total of 107.

“I think a lot has to do with out west and the problems they’re having,” said Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser.

In North Dakota a person needs to pay $45, pass a test and clear two background checks before being able to carry a concealed weapon. The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation has the final say.

Typically, people fail when seeking permits because they are either wanted by law enforcement or because they are felons.

“All in all we’ve been having quite a few concealed weapons (permits) this year” Kaiser said. “A lot of new ones — a lot of renewals.”

Kaiser said most are issued to rural Stutsman County residents, many of whom just want to store a weapon in a vehicle legally.

“The majority of people, that’s the reason they like the concealed weapon, is they can store them and not get charged with concealing a firearm in their vehicle.”

According to Forum Communications reports, Stark County, home of Dickinson, N.D., has 719 permits issued so far this year — more than the previous four years combined.

Williams County, home of Williston, N.D., saw 769 permits issued through July of this year, and Burleigh County had 1,374 this year through the end of July.

Weapons sales here in Jamestown have also recently seen a spike.

Anyone already possessing a concealed weapons permit does not need to undergo a background check to purchase a gun, because two background checks have already been done as part of the permitting process. Otherwise, every gun sale requires an information check.

Such checks, which normally take minutes, have taken much longer recently because of high demand nationwide, according to Sun and Associated Press reports.

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455

or by email at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, news, guns