Carroll County sees increase in gun permit applications

Residents in some Georgia counties are buying guns and seeking carry license applications in wake of the deadly Connecticut school shooting.

Carroll County Probate Judge Betty Cason says it's not unusual to see an increase in gun license applications after a mass shooting, but the spike she saw after the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre was different.

"This one has gone much further than normal. In the first 10 business days of this month, we've issued 217 firearms licenses," said Cason.

Residents go to the Carroll County Jail to get fingerprinted and complete the application process, but because of the increased demand for licenses they've had to increase their staff by one.

"We have supplied additional manpower for that, where we can get it. But some days we've had up to 50 people come in one day to be fingerprinted," said Carroll County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Brad Robinson.

Johnson says what many of the applicants don't know is they may not need a weapons carry license if they're carrying their firearm in their home, vehicle or business.

"So if you're carrying it in one of those three places, and you're a law-abiding citizen, you don't necessarily need the firearms permit," Robinson said.

Cason is concerned that no safety training is required in Georgia before she signs off on a weapons carry license application.

"There's no requirement that you know how to operate that gun. So, that within itself is scary," said Cason.

Cason checked with surrounding counties and found that they are also seeing a surge in weapons carry license. She says so far this month, Coweta County has issued 322 licenses and Douglas County has issued 381.