Kentucky Concealed Carry Permits On the Rise

More and more people are obtaining concealed carry permits in the state of Kentucky, with numbers spiking dramatically over the past four years.

According WKYT, the Bluegrass State enacted its concealed carry law in 1996. Kentucky State Police said that by 2010, 205,229 people had applied for a permit, including 20,031 that year. By 2013, 319,305 people had applied, with 58,706 that year alone.

While the numbers aren’t currently available, that trend is expected to continue in 2014.

Jay Evans, owner of Evans Firearms and Archery in Lexington, said gun and ammunition sales have risen the past few weeks.

“Like other retail stores it’s the peak time of year,” he said.

In addition to more people buying guns, there is also an ever-increasing demand for concealed carry classes. As WKYT reports, these classes fill up quickly as word spreads among local residents.

“Crime awareness is on people’s mind,” Evans said. “Certainly there is a constant flow of people interested in taking the class, a lot of reason is the safety concerns.”