Northampton County sheriff sees increase in concealed carry permit applications

[tglee]

Monday, January 26, 2009
By MICHAEL BUCK
The Express-Times
EASTON | The Northampton County Sheriff's Department has been tracking a steady increase in applications for permits to carry concealed weapons, the sheriff said.

Sheriff Jeffrey Hawbecker said the numbers have been steadily rising since July and annually since 2006.

While there doesn't appear to be a distinct catalyst for the rise in permit applications, Hawbecker said, some people have voiced their worries to the clerks in his office.

"There appears to be some concern about limiting the amount of guns," Hawbecker said, referring to President Barack Obama's administration and the Democratic-controlled Congress.

In the past few months, some police departments have noticed an increase in records checks from Hawbecker's office. The check, Hawbecker said, is a standard procedure before granting someone a permit to carry.

Pen Argyl police Chief Phil Viglione said on Jan. 12 he received eight records check requests from the sheriff's department. That number is equal to December and November combined.

"Generally it's just one or two for the month," he said.

Viglione said in his town of just more than 3,600 people, 48 applied for concealed carry permits in 2008. That is up from 29 in 2007.

Viglione said he's not sure whether the trend will continue but is curious to see what happens in February.

Warren County Sheriff Sal Simonetti said local departments handle applications for concealed carry permits but applicants need "a convincing reason" to obtain a permit in New Jersey.

For some, the increase in carry permits in Northampton County isn't surprising considering the recent increase in gun sales.

"I wouldn't doubt that under the circumstances that more and more people would get the carry permit," said Jack Iannantuono, co-chairman of the Lehigh Valley Firearms Coalition.

Iannantuono said from his recent experience the increase in gun sales echoes what happened when President Bill Clinton took office in the early '90s. He said gun sales spiked then because there was a concern new gun regulations would be put into place.

"Because of what has been the voting record of the incoming president, the concern is heightened again," Iannantuono said.

Reporter Michael Buck can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at mbuck@express-times.com

[87th PVI]

One of the York Deputies told someone recently they were doing 50-60 per day (from another post I read on this forum) I have personally printed & provided 4 applications to friends & coworkers in recent weeks.

[ChrisF4i]

Monday, January 26, 2009
By MICHAEL BUCK
The Express-Times
EASTON | The Northampton County Sheriff's Department has been tracking a steady increase in applications for permits to carry concealed weapons, the sheriff said.

Sheriff Jeffrey Hawbecker said the numbers have been steadily rising since July and annually since 2006.

While there doesn't appear to be a distinct catalyst for the rise in permit applications, Hawbecker said, some people have voiced their worries to the clerks in his office.

"There appears to be some concern about limiting the amount of guns," Hawbecker said, referring to President Barack Obama's administration and the Democratic-controlled Congress.

In the past few months, some police departments have noticed an increase in records checks from Hawbecker's office. The check, Hawbecker said, is a standard procedure before granting someone a permit to carry.

Pen Argyl police Chief Phil Viglione said on Jan. 12 he received eight records check requests from the sheriff's department. That number is equal to December and November combined.

"Generally it's just one or two for the month," he said.

Viglione said in his town of just more than 3,600 people, 48 applied for concealed carry permits in 2008. That is up from 29 in 2007.

Viglione said he's not sure whether the trend will continue but is curious to see what happens in February.

Warren County Sheriff Sal Simonetti said local departments handle applications for concealed carry permits but applicants need "a convincing reason" to obtain a permit in New Jersey.

For some, the increase in carry permits in Northampton County isn't surprising considering the recent increase in gun sales.

"I wouldn't doubt that under the circumstances that more and more people would get the carry permit," said Jack Iannantuono, co-chairman of the Lehigh Valley Firearms Coalition.

Iannantuono said from his recent experience the increase in gun sales echoes what happened when President Bill Clinton took office in the early '90s. He said gun sales spiked then because there was a concern new gun regulations would be put into place.

"Because of what has been the voting record of the incoming president, the concern is heightened again," Iannantuono said.

Reporter Michael Buck can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at mbuck@express-times.com

How about self defense?!?!?!?!?! Not convinvcing enough apparently.