There’s a run on people choosing to carry firearms for self-defense in Minnesota, so much so that many counties can’t keep up with application requests. In fact, it’s an increase of 16 percent since 2014. This overflow has caused Minnesota’s Hennepin County to open a second full-time permit-to-carry office.
Sheriff Rich Stanek pointed to recent shootings, a rise in violent crime, even Obama administration policies as reasons for the rise. However, he believes the increased interest in self-defense is a good sign. “We’ve had very few problems with those who have concealed-carry permits,” Stanek said. “We've had a number of instances when those with concealed-carry permits have stepped in to help average citizens who have been victims of violent crime.”
At Arnzen Arms in Eden Prairie, Minn., employees say the increased information available to gun-buyers is also leading the spike. Shop worker Adam Maxell said, “We generally talk to them two or three times before they actually buy the gun.”
