In 2016, the violence in Chicago hit highs not seen in years, with nearly 800 murders and nearly 4,400 shootings. So it’s no surprise to see that residents are taking it upon themselves to protect their families and loved ones, and they’re obtaining gun permits to do so.
According to information provided by state police, 38,712 Chicagoans picked up a Firearms Owners Identification (FOID) card in 2016. Another 22,517 also obtained a concealed-carry permit. Both figures represent a sharp increase over the previous year, when 23,725 and 13,948 received a FOID and concealed-carry permit, respectively.
With guns in hand, residents are also seeking out training. Firearms instructors throughout the city are reporting that training classes are in high demand. “People are worried about crime in Chicago,” said Joel Ostrander, owner of SafeShot Ltd. “These are well-educated, professional people looking for a way to protect their homes and families.”
