KEYC - Mankato News, Weather, Sports - - Gun permits applications rise significantly in Le Sueur County

Gun permits applications rise significantly in Le Sueur County

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LE SUEUR COUNTY, Minn. -

In light of President's Obama's gun control plans, firearms are the latest hot commodity for consumers.
 
In Le Sueur County, the demand is so high, an extra staff person is being brought in to deal with background checks.
 
"We have seen a significant increase with the Obama plan to tighten the U.S. gun laws...(this) has prompted permit applications quite highly," said Chief Deputy Dave Tietz of the Le Sueur County Sheriff's Department.
 
For all of 2012, the Le Sueur County sheriff's office received approximately 300 gun-permit applications, so far this year, the office has already received 110.
 
"Personally I believe it's a little knee-jerk reaction," said Tietz.
 
That reaction has prompted the Le Sueur County Sheriff's Department to add to its payroll.
 
"Sheriff Doherty recently went to our county board and requested extra help, part-time help in our office to take some of the work load off our full-time employees to help with these gun permits," said Tietz.
 
A worker at a pawn shop in Le Center declined to go on camera but did say people are buying up handguns at the store left and right.

As the debate about gun control continues, officials say permit applications for firearms are expected to keep pace.
 
Officials in Le Sueur County say they're currently seeing anywhere from 30-50 permit applications on a weekly basis.