WLKY report on guns and CCDW in Kentucky

More Kentuckians Apply For Concealed Carry Permits

By Steve Burgin, WLKY news
Read the whole story on the WLKY web page here.
(watch part one here) (watch part two here)


LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A Target 32 investigation has found a dramatic increase in the number of Kentuckians applying for concealed carry permits.

Applications in Jefferson County more than tripled in December of 2008. Weapon and ammo sales are up as well, and people are packing gun safety classes, which are required before a person can get a concealed carry permit.

A change in the administration and a troubled economy are the two main reasons given for this increased desire among Kentuckians to carry concealed weapons. As a result, business has shot through the roof at Open Range Sports in Crestwood, Ky. Barry Laws runs Open Range.

"We are starting to love Obama right now," he said. Laws said there's a fear among his customers that President Barack Obama will move toward more gun control.
"It's a double-edge sword," he said. "People want to buy a lot of firearms, but there aren't a lot available."

Stacy Triplett, who recently received her concealed carry permit, was shopping for a way to hide her 9 mm pistol. "It's a fundamental right to bear arms and we are concerned that right might be curtailed," she said.

According to state records obtained by WLKY News, applications for concealed carry licenses, jumped from 12,292 in 2007 to 16,503 last year -- an increase of 34 percent.

Charles Riggs, a member of the board of the Kentucky Coalition to Carry Concealed, said the message behind those numbers is clear. "That says when I go out of my house, I'm responsible for myself. I'm responsible for my own well-being," he said. "I have the right to live my life unmolested by criminals."

Since passing the law in 1996 and through the end of last year, the commonwealth has issued nearly 146,000 concealed carry permits.

(read it all and watch the videos on their web page here)