PRESS RELEASE
OSBI Experiences Large Increase in Gun Carry License Applications
The number of gun carry license applications has increased substantially in the past several months. The week of November 30, 2015, OSBI received 604 applications. Two months later, the week of January 25, 2016, OSBI received more than double that amount – 1434. The reasoning for this increase is a matter of opinion since the application does not ask for a reason for applying for the license. However, during this time frame several sheriffs across the state waived their $25 fingerprinting fee and encouraged their citizens to apply for a license as a means of personal protection. This event could certainly have had an effect on the amount of applications received by the Bureau. Below is the number of applications received on a weekly basis from Nov. 30 through the week of February 1st. Last week’s numbers will not be tabulated until the end of this week, but it could top 1500. Weeks prior to November 30th, the numbers ranged from 551-764 applications.
Nov. 30, 2015 604
Dec. 7, 2015 824
Dec. 14, 2015 702
Dec. 21, 2015 900
Dec. 28, 2015 744
Jan. 4, 2016 1178
Jan. 11, 2016 1176
Jan. 18, 2016 1182
Jan. 25, 2016 1434
Feb. 1, 2016 1712