South Dakota Gun Permits up 21 Percent from 2014

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Secretary of State Shantel Krebs says her office saw a 21 percent jump in conceal carry weapon permits for 2015.

The total of new and renewal permits jumped to 22,554 in 2015, up from the 18,656 issued in 2014. A total of 26,863 permits were issued in 2013, the highest amount since 2006.

Krebs said permits in the month of December alone doubled from 1,423 in 2014 to 2,968 in 2015.

Krebs, a Republican, said she expects this trend to continue with concerns over national security and potential federal gun restrictions.

South Dakota had a total of 85,273 active gun permits as of Dec. 31.

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