Gun Permits On The Rise

(Le Mars) — The number of people seeking permits to carry hand guns in Plymouth County has seen a dramatic increase, especially since the November elections.  Plymouth County Sheriff, Mike Van Otterloo says since the election, Plymouth County has issued 227 total permits to carry a hand gun, and the county has issued 84 permits to purchase a hand gun.  During the year of 2012, a total of 546 permits to carry a hand gun were issued, along with 170 permits to purchase a hand gun. Back in 2011, the Iowa legislature changed the rules making it somewhat easier to acquire a permit to purchase and a permit to carry hand guns.   Sheriff Van Otterloo says Plymouth County residents have taken advantage of the new rules.
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Van Otterloo says people give many reasons for wanting to carry a hand gun.

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The Plymouth County sheriff says, in general, he is not worried about the people who have filed to carry a hand gun.

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Van Otterloo offers his opinions about the high number of people seeking gun permits.
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Gun permits are for either hand guns or rifles, long barreled guns, such as shotguns are excluded.