New CHL permit in Kansas isn't drawing interest

[lawrnk]

http://www.kmbc.com/news/14992265/detail.html


WICHITA, Kan. -- More than 11,000 Kansans have applied for concealed-carry gun permits since the law went into effect a year ago -- far fewer than the 20,000 that had been expected.

The Wichita Eagle reported that officials said there haven't been any problems with the law, but gun enthusiasts have mixed feelings about what has been accomplished.

At a Wichita gun show on Sunday, Brian Newlin said he doesn't see much of a reason to apply for a permit because he can legally carry a firearm in his car already.



Another man at the show said the application process can deter some people from applying for a permit.

Permits can be denied for such reasons as a felony conviction, mental illness, a drug conviction during the past five years or more than one drunk-driving conviction in five years.

So far, 135 licenses have been denied, 11 have been revoked, 13 were surrendered and five have been suspended.

[stevie_d_64]

11,000 apps is still a great number...No matter how the media downplays it...

It'll pick up...

[M9FAN]

11,000 apps is still a great number...No matter how the media downplays it...

+1

[Keith B]

11,000 apps is still a great number...No matter how the media downplays it...

It'll pick up...

I am not sure there are more than 11,000 folks in the state! I have driven across I-70 and you don't see anything but wheat fields and jack rabbits for MILES!

Seriously, Kansas has about 2.76M population, so that is about (EDIT) .4% of the population that has applied.

Texas has 23.5M with about 289K license holders, which is (EDIT) 1.2%.

One thing to think about is Kansas is manily rural. Most farmers carry a shotgun or firearm of some type anyway, so they don't care about having a concealed permit. Even the bigger cities are much smaller in population and don't have the large crime rates our big cities in Texas do. Comming from a similar type area (Missouri) I can tell you things are a LOT more laid back in the rural areas and folks just don't feel as much need.

[WildBill]

It sounds like they are trying to discourage people from getting their CHL. Once the media starts reporting a few incidences where a CHL holder stops some BGs the interest will pick up.

[seamusTX]

Seriously, Kansas has about 2.76M population, so that is about 4% of the population that has applied.
Texas has 23.5M with about 289K license holders, which is 11.75%.

You need to check the batteries in your calculator, dude. Your figures are ten times too high.

About 0.4% of the population applied the first year. I think that puts them on course to have 1-2% in a few years, which is what most shall-issue states have.

- Jim

[Keith B]

Seriously, Kansas has about 2.76M population, so that is about 4% of the population that has applied.
Texas has 23.5M with about 289K license holders, which is 11.75%.

You need to check the batteries in your calculator, dude. Your figures are ten times too high.

About 0.4% of the population applied the first year. I think that puts them on course to have 1-2% in a few years, which is what most shall-issue states have.

- Jim

Oops, thats what I get for not wearing my glasses. You are right Jim, .4%.

I still believe it is the mainly rural thing. Folks in the country have long been known to carry guns, legal or not. In most areas the Sheriff knows everyone and they 'overlook' the good folks and turn their heads on things like that. These sheriffs are usually elected by the public, so they tend to be 'good guys' from the aspect of wanting to not make waves for the honest folk.

[seamusTX]

I still believe it is the mainly rural thing. Folks in the country have long been known to carry guns, legal or not. In most areas the Sheriff knows everyone and they 'overlook' the good folks ...

I agree. Kansas has no city with a population as big as half a million. Texas has three of the biggest cities in the country (if you count DFW as one city). I'll bet people who live there have a higher rate of CHL than in rural areas.

- Jim

[O6nop]

Maybe a state that already has legal open carry, won't get the numbers like states where open carry is illegal. I,m pretty sure Nebraska and Kansas have legal open carry except where prohibited by local laws. Texas has no open carry, but it seems there is more interest. I don't have the stats to back that up, but maybe someone else here has a good idea if that's true.

[Vic303]

Of course in Douglas Co, you have to fit your application into the meager 3 hr early morning window , making it far more inconvenient for the locals to get in there to submit their app.

Two articles from the local paper there:

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/jan/1 ... 0_permits/

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/jan/1 ... aled_guns/

[anygunanywhere]

I have never been hit on by more panhandlers anywhere I have traveled with the exception of downtown San Francisco (and it was not by much) than when I was in Wichita.

Anygun