A statistic that may come with little surprise to most area citizens is that Texas County has so far this year experienced a sharp increase in applications for permits to carry a concealed weapon (CCW).
According to data compiled by the Texas County Sheriff’s Department, 62 CCW applications were submitted in January, compared to 197 during all of 2012.
Texas County’s concealed-carry program began in July 2004, when the department was still housed in the old courthouse building on Grand Avenue. Since its outset, the program and its procedures have been in large part overseen by TCSD Dispatch Supervisor Susan Bunch.
“From day one, I was the one trained to do it on the computer,” Bunch said. “I’ve had deputies, dispatch people and others help me with certain aspects, but I’ve always been involved in it. In the end, though, the sheriff has all say.”
The price of exercising the right to carry a concealed firearm in Texas County increased this week, as the application fee went up from $35 to $50 on Monday (Feb. 4). Applicants must be at least 21 years old, and also pay a fee of $30.50 to the Missouri State Highway Patrol to cover fingerprinting and background checks.
An approved application results in a three-year permit to carry a concealed gun in approved locations. The cost of renewal in Texas County – good for another three years – increased from $25 to $35 this week.
Fees must be paid by money order or cashier’s check. Application denials are typically a result of criminal activity appearing in an applicant’s background check.
Texas County Sheriff James Sigman said the recent price increases were necessary to help offset budget cuts passed on by the county commission.
“With the restraints in our budget, monies that are generated through CCW fees can be used for equipment and training,” Sigman said.
Sigman pointed out that Texas County’s CCW fees are still reasonable compared to many other locations.
“We could charge up to 100 dollars for the initial application fee,” he said, “so at 50, we kind of went half way. And for the renewal we could charge up to 50 dollars.”
When the CCW program began in Texas County, the application fee was $25.
Bunch said that from the outset of the program to when the Justice Center opened in February 2010, the department dealt with 474 approved CCW applications. Since the move, there have been 805 approved applications.
The year when the most permits were issued in the county was 2009, at 220, while 2007 was lowest with 47. The 2009 total helped contribute to last year’s relatively high number of 279 renewals, which not only reflects people who applied three years earlier, but also those who decide to renew after having their license lapse for extended periods.
Bunch said the profile of the average applicant has changed over the years.
“In the beginning, it was generally middle-aged to elderly people,” she said. “Now it’s from 21 on up, and includes a wide range of people. And it’s both men and women.”
CCW documentation in Missouri is maintained by Regional Justice Information Service in St. Louis (REJIS), a firm founded in 1976 that provides information technology products and services to criminal justice and government agencies. Once an application is submitted, the process involves several agencies.
“We work hand in hand with REJIS, and they work with the state Department of Revenue, the Highway Patrol, the FBI, and local county sheriffs,” Bunch said. “They have an online system, and that’s where all the applicants’ information goes.”
Approval usually takes about three to four weeks. Approved applicants are assigned a personal identification number by the state, and are then usually issued a non-driver’s ID card.
Bunch keeps files from CCW instructors approved by the sheriff, and often offers applicants help in choosing a teacher in their area.
“We have to have instructors’ credentials, and if the sheriff gives his approval, we contact them and let them know they’ve been approved,” Bunch said.
Most states have some sort of provision allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons, with Illinois being the only one that doesn’t. Alaska, Arizona, Vermont and Wyoming all allow concealed carry without a permit (an unrestricted situation sometimes referred to as “Constitution carry”).
Bunch said new applications, renewals, transfers in or out of the county or state to other states and all other CCW matters can be done by appointment Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“It’s really preferred that people call ahead so we know they’re coming,” she said. “There’s always so much going on here and if they have an appointment I’m ready for them and it helps make sure they don’t have to wait.”
Bunch can be reached by calling the TCSD at 417-967-4165. Information about Missouri’s CCW laws can be read online at http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/c500-599/5710000101.htm.
Several states honor Missouri CCW permits either fully or partially. Log onto http://ago.mo.gov/Concealed-Weapons/ for more information.
In accordance with Missouri law, concealed weapons may not be carried in the following places:
––Any police, sheriff or Highway Patrol office without consent.
––Within 25 feet of polling places on election day.
––Adult of juvenile jail institution.
––Courthouse or facilities.
––Any meeting of a government body (except by a member with a concealed-carry endorsement.
––Bar without consent.
––Airport.
––Where prohibited by federal law.
––Schools.
––Child care facility.
––Riverboat gambling facility.
––Amusement parks.
––Any church or place of worship.
––Any sports arena or stadium (with seating for more than 5,000).
––Private or public property where posted.
*Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of any of the above listed locations is not prohibited as long as the gun is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises. Carrying a concealed firearm in any of the listed locations is not a criminal act, but could lead to removal from the premises and denial of further access. Citation and fine could result if a law officer is summoned.
“In the beginning, it was generally middle-aged to elderly people. Now it’s from 21 on up, and includes a wide range of people. And it’s both men and women.”