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300,000 concealed carry permits issued in Wis.

Posted at 3:16 PM, Mar 31, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-31 16:44:53-04

MADISON – On March 24, 2016 the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Criminal Information Bureau’s Firearms Unit issued the 300,000th concealed carry permit since the program’s inception in 2011.

Handgun hotline checks and concealed carry applications have been at record high levels in recent months and interest in firearm ownership shows no signs of subsiding. Since January 1, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Criminal Information Bureau processed 19,515 concealed carry applications and the handgun hotline completed 46,658 background checks, which is required for the transfer of a handgun from a firearms dealer in our state. By comparison, for the entire calendar year 2015, the firearms unit processed 45,549 concealed carry applications and handled 131,648 requests for handgun hotline background checks. Data collected by Wisconsin DOJ also shows that from the period 2001-05 to the period 2011-15, the total number of handgun hotline checks increased from 162,208 to 599,141, a 369 percent increase over the 10 year period.

“The dedicated professionals at the Department of Justice have provided a safe, secure, and efficient process for the issuance of concealed carry permits since 2011 Act 35 went into effect on Nov. 1, 2011,” said Attorney General Brad Schimel. “Wisconsin has always had a rich tradition of firearms ownership, and I am proud to lead the agency that ensures law abiding citizens can exercise their rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment.”

To learn more on how to apply for a concealed weapon license, click here.