Handgun Permits Hit Record High in North Dakota, Minnesota

Conceal carry applications in both Minnesota and North Dakota increased by more than five times in 2015.

Clay County Sheriff Bill Bergquist and one North Dakota conceal carry instructor I spoke to both say the increase in crime has more people wanting to utilize their second amendment.

Lincoln Brower has been a certified North Dakota conceal and carry instructor for just over four years now.

He says in the last year, business has significantly picked up and for one reason in particular.
 
“Most of them are thinking about the simple fact that crime is rising in general, and even if they don’t physically have it on them they like knowing they have it accessible,” said Brower.
 
Brower says right now he averages anywhere from four to five people every seven to 10 days and age has been no exception.
 
“I’ve had someone in the last class who was almost 80 years old who sat down and relearned how to use a handgun,” said Brower.
 
Sheriff Bergquist also says he believes that recent crime related incidents are a reflection of the numbers.
 
“Anytime people see an event in the media or something kind of media event about shooting or something I think that concerns people,” said Bergquist.
 
Bergquist says within the last month, his department has issued just over 130 permits.
 
Sheriff Bergquist says the increase isn’t a concern for the office as of right now, but he does say that the right to bear arms also comes with responsibility.
 
“You just have to be a little careful, most of the time you’d be better off calling 911, and just observing the situation,” said Bergquist.
 
At the end of the day, both Brower and Bergquist say the majority of conceal and carry permit seekers just like knowing that the option is there.
 
“It’s something that they feel is their right and they have the right to do it,” said Bergquist.

As of December 31st, 2015, around 40,000 permits were issued in North Dakota, and more than 200,000 in Minnesota.