Michigan residents are arming themselves after an increased surge in conceal permit licenses (CPLs).
The Detroit News reports that the number of CPLS issued in Michigan rose by 342 percent in the last 15 years. There were 31,121 permits in between 2003 to 2004, to 137,624 from 2016 to 2017. A rise in background checks has also been noted across the nation. The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) reported a record 2.7 million background checks in March 2018. Checks increased more than nine percent from February to March in 2018 compared to March 2017.
In Michigan, in those same two months, CPLs issued to holders rose from 40,239 in 2017 to 41,658 in 2018. Macomb County increased from 3,817 in February to March 2017, to 4,086 in 2018 in the same time frame. Oakland and Wayne counties saw slight drops in their CPL numbers.
As quoted by the Detroit News, Detroit police Chief James Craig shared his support for the increase in permit holders across the state. “I’ve been the guest speaker at CPL classes, and I’m routinely seeing 60-70 people in the class — all women,” Craig said. “A lot of law-abiding citizens just want to be safe, and as long as they get the proper training and are responsible gun owners, I welcome that.”
