Surge in Concealed Handgun Permits in Texas

A discussion from the Houston Chronicle can be found here:

May 8, 2008, 12:29AM
Texas caught off guard as more seek handgun permits
Some point to anti-gun politics as applications rise 39 percent and swamp the state
By JANET ELLIOTT
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN — Demand for concealed handgun licenses has risen nearly 40 percent in Texas in a year, an increase being attributed to many factors, even presidential politics.

Though the exact cause may be unclear, what's certain is that the spike in applications has caught the Department of Public Safety unprepared.

The state is taking a month longer than the 60 days allowed by law to process original applications and 80 days longer on renewals, which are supposed to be handled within 45 days.

"We're trying really hard, but there have been delays because of the tremendous increase in applications," said Tela Mange, a DPS spokeswoman.

She said the department is paying overtime and hiring temporary workers to reduce the backlog. Mange said she doesn't know why applications last month were 39 percent higher than they were in April 2007. . . .

45 minutes on hold

Alice Tripp, legislative director for the Texas State Rifle Association, the state affiliate of the National Rifle Association, said she hears daily from frustrated members about the delay in getting licenses. She said some have been put on hold for 45 minutes when they called DPS to inquire about their licenses. . . . .

Thanks very much to Scott Davis for sending me this link.