South Carolina concealed weapons permits in high demand

You never know, who’s carrying a gun, and more and more these days people are doing it legally.

“People from the media, real estate people, lawyers and doctors,” describes Frank DiNardo, a certified firearms instructor, “I’ve trained just about everyone from every walk of life

In his 30 years experience, he’s never seen a push like in the last year by people wanting to get concealed weapons permits.

“I think people are a little frightened both with what’s going on with the street and maybe a little bit with the government.  They don’t know what’s going to happen with the police, banks and foreclosures, and people just want something to protect themselves,” explains Dinardo.

The State Law Enforcement Divisions says almost 100,000 people have concealed weapons permits. More than 28,000 new permits have been issued this year, that’s almost double last year.

“I’m surprised every single day,” says Jeremy Burnham, an owner of Atlantic Game and Tackle in Mount Pleasant where many different types of people are coming in looking for hand guns.  “I’m getting mom’s grandmothers.”
“I mean the demand’s huge, I go through multiple vendors and straight to the manufacturers and they just don’t have a drop of ammunition for me,” says Burnham.

He’s also moving all kinds of accessories for concealed weapons.
Tthe law requires anyone seeking a concealed weapons permit to complete a background check an 8 hour course.  The application process takes 90 days.