More People Seeking Gun Permits
More People Seeking Gun Permits Save Email Print
Concerns about safetry amid recent violent crime
Posted: 2:00 PM Jan 5, 2009
 Last Updated: 5:57 PM Jan 5, 2009
 Reporter: Bryan Latham
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com
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With the rash of recent violence in the metro, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department reports more people have applied for firearm purchase certificates.

"It doesn't have a lot of kickback power,” says John Dineen at Sol’s Jewelry and Loan. “For carry and conceal it's smaller so it can fit right inside your pocket."

Dineen's inventory of guns is drawing more and more interest. "You're seeing a lot of different cliental. There is first time gun owners coming and going, I would just like something for in the house right now for just peace of mind."

"You're seeing a lot more females coming in, just more interested in more the process. Kind of seeing if they're interested in getting something, what would be their best, go at it as far as getting a revolver, getting an automatic."

Permits to purchase firearms in Douglas County were up 1,500 from 2007 to 2008. "What we are seeing is as the violence has occurred or increased in the city of Omaha, it appears to increase gun registrations,” says Douglas County Sheriff Tim Dunning.

People are carrying them, too. A 62-year-old woman was spotted in the Douglas County Courthouse last week with a loaded .25-caliber handgun in her purse. She was ticketed for not having a concealed weapon permit.

Some are purchasing for fear of their safety. There is also the fear of the unknown.

"There's also a fear out there, since President Obama has been elected there's going to be additional tax on ammunition or additional tax on weaponry,” says Sheriff Dunning. “We do hear those comments to that effect.”

Dineen has heard similar reasoning in his store. "A lot of people coming in for your assault rifle, your semi-automatic military items, just because they don't know with (the) elections what might be banned, what might higher taxes be raised on."

Last Friday, the first day the sheriff’s office could issue applications, it issued 37 permits to purchase. More than 4,700 concealed weapon permits have been issued in Douglas County.

You need to pass a handgun training course approved by the Nebraska State Patrol.
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Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 7, 2009 at 08:59 AM
Dearest Trav, you don't need to buy into NRA propaganda to know that Obama wants to kill gun rights. Just look at his record.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 7, 2009 at 07:49 AM
I personally am pretty darn anti-gun; HOWEVER, the people who commit crimes using guns are not usually the people who would be bothered by whether they were carrying a gun legally or not, as killing someone is pretty illegal. So with that in mind, I think that most people who commit crimes using a gun are carrying illegally anyways and that most people who are registering, taking gun safety classes, and going about carrying a weapon legally are probably really doing it for protection. I mean, if I'm going to commit a crime, I'm not going to make the effort of legalizing my weapon before doing something illegal, just as if I was not criminally inclined, putting a gun in my possession wouldn't automatically make me think "I should use this to get my way."
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 at 11:37 PM
Also, the cost of the classes and permit, $250-300 when added up, effectively put permits out of the reach of those low-income, law-abiding people that live in the low-income, high crime areas of Omaha.
Posted by: John on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:35 PM
I'll solve the argument. Should we all carry guns, should no one carry guns? History can be a fantastic tool because it always tells the plain old truth. In 1997 Great Britain launched a ban on all handguns. It was hearalded by the government to reduce crime and be safer for all citizens. But not supprisingly the government lied with the usual sweet toppings of protecting us from ourselves and within one year crime rates went up 69%, robbery 50%, and murders 54%. Why you may wonder did this occur. When a law goes into effect all law abiding citizens usually will comply. All criminals will not. So you can see with the knowledge of no one carrying, crimes would become more risk free and more ubundant. This same exact scenerio was mimicked in Canada and Australia. So the question that must be asked, why are the infringing and ever so slowy taking are guns away. The answer: MORE CONTROL POLICE STATE NEW WORLD ORDER
Posted by: Trav on Jan 6, 2009 at 09:21 PM
To LLR, I'm a gun owner who voted for Obama. The NRA uses just as many scare tactics for political gain. As for carry and conceal, I'm not PRO-GUN but I am Pro-protection. The argument that these dirtbags aren't going to follow the laws to conceal and carry is valid. I will be taking a course and passing as I have NO felonies on my record and am able to. Please try to break into my home.
Posted by: Ryan on Jan 6, 2009 at 09:19 PM
I'd really like to see a cite for the claim that 4700 CCW permits have been issued for Douglas County - I believe that is the total for the state, not the county. Even if it is for the Omaha area, it's a very small percentage of the residents... That, in combination with the number of restricted places (Westroads Mall may ring a bell) explain the lack of effect on crime stats.
Posted by: Jens on Jan 6, 2009 at 08:27 PM
I may read this wrong, but are you suggesting that because I have a CCW permit that I should become a vigilanty to keep you & yours safe? How do you know that a criminal wasn't deterred from committing a crime? The criminal surely isn't going to contact the police to report that while they were trying to rob someone, they had a gun pulled on them!! Here's something else to think about; you say there is an increase in the amount of guns carried legally in Omaha. Well here's a FACT for you, Omaha banned law abiding citizens from carrying a concealed weapon within the city limits before the CCW law ever took effect, and that law has not been repealed. Google it, it's not a hard law to find! Permit holders aren't about stopping crime "across the board". We carry to protect our own in the event that we are threatened with no other means to remove ourselves from the situation. PERIOD!! We'd be paid police, sheriff or state officers if we were doing it for the public. Sorry!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 at 07:51 PM
Jens, because the average permit holder doesn't live a high-risk lifestyle, mostly being married white males of middle age and upper income, living in the suburbs. They don't carry to protect others, just themselves and their families. They avoid victimization situations, unlike the poor and the risk-takers.
Posted by: Jens on Jan 6, 2009 at 06:32 PM
Phil, please. Crimes are happening all over Omaha, in stores, in homes, in parks, etc. Why hasn't anyone prevented/stopped any crimes by carrying a gun. There is an increase in the amount of guns carried legally in Omaha yet crime continues to rise and no stories reported have shown an effect on crime. It's a pretty simple correlation you're trying to prove but it's obviously a fallacy since the statistics aren't supporting it.
Posted by: LLR on Jan 6, 2009 at 03:05 PM
"A gun owner who voted for Obama". Now THERE'S an oxymoron if I ever heard one. Maybe you should have joined the NRA and gotten the truth behind what Obama truly believes, has a record of voting for, and the voting records and platforms of all that have been appointed to his Cabinet. I'm guessing we have until about May 18 before some part of the 2nd Amendment is shredded by that bunch in Washington.
Posted by: Jay on Jan 6, 2009 at 12:51 PM
To Bill: As someone who was shopping just outside of Von Maur during the the shooting, I would've gladly accepted the help of a "concerned public citizen" Trust me...when shots are ringing out and you know innocent people are getting killed, you want it stopped immediately, and you don't care who puts and end to it. Police Officer, Alien from Mars, escaped Lion from the zoo, or a concerned citizen protecting thier family...you just want it stopped.
Posted by: Justin on Jan 6, 2009 at 12:44 PM
First of all, Law Enforcement can't be everywhere all the time. There is no magical formula for "predicting" crimes...it's not like they can issue a "robbery watch or warning" like weather forecasters can with Severe Storms. This fact is why the police actively work with neighborhood crime stopper groups and citizen patrol groups...because they can't always observe things all the time. To Bill, criminals won't lose sleep when they know that handguns are completely banned...just ask our friends across the pond in England, where Rape, Robberies, Assualts, and Home Burglaries are way higher than in the United States. Criminals are actually empowered when they know that 99% of thier potential victims won't have an effective means of defending themselves.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Phil, since stores are private property, an employee doesn't need a permit to carry a concealed handgun in the store, just the owner's consent.
Posted by: Steve on Jan 6, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Streets & neighborhoods WILL be safer with LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS WHO HAVE CCW PERMITS & TRAINING...PERIOD ! ! ! You people who are anti-guns have the right to voice your opinion, but so do those of us who are pro-guns. What if your family member is getting attacked, I shoot & kill the criminal. THEN what will you say ? Will you call me a criminal or a hero ? THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT ! ! !
Posted by: Official Contact Experience on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:10 AM
I didn't have any trouble with the police during a non-confrontational official contact with the police last winter. When they approached me to get a witness statement (regarding a traffic accident that I saw), I informed them that I had a valid CHP and was armed, as required by state law for all official contacts. They just asked me where I was carrying, I told them, and they just said "OK, just leave it there", and then took my statement very professionally, then I left and went on my way. No hassle at all. As to why CHP holders almost never use their pistols, it's mostly because they tend to be stable, settled people that do not engage in high-risk lifestyles nor frequent high-risk areas. Stats from other statesshow that most permittees are middle-aged white males, married homeowners, of middle and upper-income. The $250-300 expense of classes and the NE permit keep the poorest people from getting a permit, and it's the poorest areas that have most of the crime.
Posted by: Gary on Jan 6, 2009 at 09:40 AM
You people have to realize that the police only get there after the fact. The chances of one being nearby when something happens are very slim. It is your, I say, YOUR responsibility to protect yourself and your family. When are you liberal weenies going to realize that? It has already been mentioned below that you can't have your attacker wait around for the police to show up to protect YOU! The criminals don't follow the laws sheeple! You can ask for all the gun bans and laws you want, it won't stop them. The laws only work for the LAW-ABIDING people!! Only YOU can stop them when it happens...otherwise continue being victims. I have a family to protect.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 at 09:40 AM
I don't carry (legally) to protect the public - I carry to protect myself and my loved ones. I'm a military veteran, am as law-abiding as you can be, and hold concealed handgun permit. I've taken not only the required Nebraska CHP class, but also trained in firearm retention and recovery, tactical handgun, and advanced tactical handgun, as well as tactical rifle training. No offense to law enforcement, but that's more training than *most* police officers receive (SWAT-trained personnel excepted) - because skimpy budgets don't allow for more police training (it's more important to build stadiums and such dreck). I also practice more than most LE agency budgets allow for and more than most LE agency rules require, again because your budgets for training are far too low, and any OPD Officer reading this knows that's true.
Posted by: Phil on Jan 6, 2009 at 09:26 AM
Hey Jens thats because the criminals are robbing places where you can't (legaally) have a firearm(unless your a criminal,I guess u prefer the rights of the criminal first)and also at places where if you defend yourself your fired! If every employee obtained the CCW permit and every store allowed them to have guns at work,guess what?? We would have more wotheless thugs and criminals off the streets,and by that less crime!
Posted by: David on Jan 6, 2009 at 09:22 AM
To Watch out...even if a gun is in palin sight they cops still have to act with caution you nimrod! And since this would all be public record,please list your name..DOB..and date of crime so we can go to the police station and request a copy of the rerport..I sure would like to see the "real story" I have been pulled over with mine and a regular checkpoint,they asked for my drivers lisecense and reg. along with that I gave them my CCW permit and showed them my gun in a holster by my side..guess what no trumped up(not chumped up charges..I think u are the chump)charges.
Posted by: Jarbeau on Jan 6, 2009 at 09:19 AM
It just goes to show that you can't argue with an idiot.
Posted by: Worried CCW opponent on Jan 6, 2009 at 08:18 AM
You think I paid for the CCW class, the CCW permit, the permit to purchase & took time out of my life so that I can protect the public? Man, what planet are you from!!! I did & continue to do all this to protect myself and my family in the event that we cannot escape a dangerous situation. READ AGAIN!! I said ESCAPE A DANGEROUS SITUATION!! The classes are indepth & discuss all aspects of gun ownership (laws, securing, etc). Bill, sorry to burst your bubble, but when asked, the majority of the people attending the CCW class state that they would not discharge their weapon to save someone they didn't know. CCW permits have been allowed in Nebraska for the past 2 yrs (if not a little longer). So how many situations, in Omaha's ever growing violent crime stats, has a CCW permit holder discharged or even shown their legal weapon? Um, oh that's right, ZERO!! So until you educate yourself on the truths & not the fearful unknown, don't tell me that I'll lay my life on the line to save you.
Posted by: DJ on Jan 6, 2009 at 07:46 AM
Like I've said many times. Back to the old West. EVeryone had a gun. I do have a question, what about the ones that have guns there fathers or gradfathers had and tuned them over to them. Or what do you have to do with them? Do they have gradfathers rights? Do you have to check with the police with them? Many questions I'm sure you will find out once you use them to protect yourself. Alot of guns out there that no one knows about yet. Hand me Downs I call them. Thats something that McKnight should look into.
Posted by: Dave on Jan 6, 2009 at 07:08 AM
Bill, where are your statistics? When was the last time you heard about a CCW holder shooting someone? Robbing a store? Doing a drive by? When was the last gun fight between CCW permit holders. Stick to the facts.
Posted by: Reality Czech on Jan 6, 2009 at 04:49 AM
In 2008, 314 U.S. soldiers died in Iraq; 509 people were murdered in Chicago. And we're fighting a war where? There aren't enough police officers to guarantee your personal safety. The 2nd Amendment affords you the right to do that. I'm thankful for the military service personnel who have defended that right for over two centuries.
Posted by: No One on Jan 5, 2009 at 11:42 PM
To Bill and Anon. Yea, we need more "GUN FREE ZONES", "GUN BANS", "GUN RESTRICTIONS". Yea that will protect us. After all, criminals follow the law. Don't they??? Quit thinking with your liberal heart and try thinking with your brains.
Posted by: Pete on Jan 5, 2009 at 11:41 PM
Why not? I carried a handgun before it was legal. Now I have a permit and still carry. Watch out, you bad guys..
Posted by: Jens on Jan 5, 2009 at 11:34 PM
For all the big talk that gets posted on this website from gun owners, you'd think that there would be either a decrease in crime or at least stories of gun wielding citizens stopping crime. I can't recall any of these stories and crime is definitely not decreasing so it's safe to assume it's a flawed argument. More weapons on the street is simply not the answer.
Posted by: Watch Out on Jan 5, 2009 at 11:03 PM
If youre looking into getting a fire arm jus beware cops will not take lightly to you possesing a fire arm reguardless if its legaly registered or not. Believe me I know. they chumped up a consealed weapons charge and it was in plain view and I even alerted the officer of the registered pistol. CROOKED COPS MAKE IT TO WHERE YOU CANT PROTECT YOURSELF!!!!!
Posted by: BillyBOb on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Anonymous - See you soon at a check out isle near you ! ! I hope.
Posted by: Tim on Jan 5, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Wheres Charles Bronson when you need him?
Posted by: Chris on Jan 5, 2009 at 08:33 PM
Concealed carry has been effective in reducing crime in every state that has enacted such legislation. Criminals are less likely to victimize a population that can effectively defend itself. I firmly believe that people need more training in awareness and avoidance skills. They need to understand how criminals operate, what pre-incident indicators are and how to increase their personal security. Firearms are only a part of the equation, a tool that fits into the entire spectrum of persional-protection skills. It should also be noted that a gun is not a magic pill that will make you safe. I've said this here before. Training, increasing your security in a layered and redundant fashion, coupled with realitic empty hand skills and viable weapons skill sets are the key. Add to the mix a working knowledge of the physiological effects of imminent danger and you will be on your way. Stay safe!
Posted by: Gary on Jan 5, 2009 at 08:09 PM
Hey Anon..ALL stores in Omaha are gun free zones..those with CCW will be ther type to follow those laws..but the thug wanna be with thier pants down to their ankles and the rag on their heads witht heir faces covered wiull not follow the law..please come up with a better reason for the law abiding public to not protect themselves and only make themselves a statistic. And if the guy next to you was going to save you with that gun..would you ask him not too? I doubt it.
Posted by: Jeff.0 on Jan 5, 2009 at 07:05 PM
Bill, you sound like the type who had the airbags removed from your cars, because you know you'll never need them--those bad things in the news don't happen to you. Plus, you've heard people have actually died from airbags, so you just know you're safer without them. You're still living in the "Barney Fife" era, Bill.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 5, 2009 at 07:05 PM
This is going to make things worse. The last thing I want is some person next to me in the grocery store carrying a gun.
Posted by: Steve on Jan 5, 2009 at 05:52 PM
It was Regan that made machine guns effectively illegal with the 1986 NFA and it was Bush that allowed the attorney general to disallow importation of "non-sporting" weapons. All Clinton did was make gun owners buy used magazines and go without bayonets for 10 years. He never banned anything, only cosmetic features while the GOP's actually banned guns.With the economy failing and guns selling like hot-cakes, its going to be some time for any type of restriction gets brought up. As a gun owner who voted for Obama, I get really tired of all the Republican fear. Its this fear mongoring that drove me to the "other side". Obama has said he doesn't want criminals to have "assault weapons". I couldn't agree more. The question is, how do you deprive them the priveledge and me the right of owning these weapons?
Posted by: Jeff on Jan 5, 2009 at 05:39 PM
Bill,are you that ignorant to think that just anyone can get a CCW permit? Maybe before opening you mouth and sounding like a fool,look at the facts,you MUST pass a firearms safety course which in my class out of 20 only 5 passed..so those other 15 could not obtain a CCW permit,yes they can still have a gun,but cant legally carry it concealed.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 5, 2009 at 05:16 PM
"There's also a fear out there, since President Obama has been elected there's going to be additional tax on ammunition or additional tax on weaponry,” Liberals try every tactic imaginable to infringe on the citizens of United State's rights. They are just plain revolting people who I wish would mind thier own business. The Bill of Rights means something to true Patriots. To some it is no more than just a piece of paper with writeing on it.
Posted by: TJ on Jan 5, 2009 at 04:58 PM
Bill, if you get attacked by a bad guy will you call 911 and wait and have the bad guy wait with you until the police get there? These people dont want to "police the streets", they want to defend themselves. Being a concealed carry permit holder, I pray I never have to use it. I do shoot regularly though. If the time ever comes I need to use my weapon, I will and I am confident that I could use it effectively. The police cant be everywhere a tall times and they do great work but I will defend myself if I have to.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 5, 2009 at 04:11 PM
Sheriff Dunning is a good man, and always has been. As for Dineen, he doesn't have any "assault rifles" in his store, you've got to be a Class 3 dealer to sell those, because they are NFA items.
Posted by: Bill on Jan 5, 2009 at 03:17 PM
Great! A new bunch of “Barney Fifes” out there to police the streets. I hope I am nowhere near a crime when a “concerned public citizen” tries to take matters in their own hands. I wonder who is more dangerous, the criminal or a self proclaimed protector of the public good. I guess they can take the gun out of their cold, dead hands when they are dead – the gun toting public or their loved ones or an innocent bystander, that is. Not the criminal. I doubt that the criminals will lose any sleep over this and relish in the fact that there are “free” guns” in these homes and on these persons to be stolen and used for harm instead of good.
Posted by: BillyBob on Jan 5, 2009 at 02:28 PM
Good. I hope some of these people are responsible about it.....and take out a couple of the thugs..
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