by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Duval County has followed the state trend in escalating numbers of citizens applying for concealed weapon/firearm permits and while the glut of applications have slowed the permit review process, it has been a windfall for local firearms dealers.
From July 1, 2008 to April 30, 2009 new permits were issued to 4,263 applicants and 2,500 renewals were approved. The total of 6,763 permits ranked fifth in the state behind Dade with 13,357; Broward with11,813; Palm Beach with 9,648; and Hillsborough with 6,873.
Part of the permit application process is the electronic scanning of applicant’s fingerprints, which is performed by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for a fee of $42.25. In 2008, 5,199 people were fingerprinted for concealed weapons permits, and from January-April of 2009, 2,462 people have been fingerprinted. Sheriff John Rutherford wasn’t alarmed by the numbers and respects the rights of lawful gun owners.
“People who go about applying for a permit aren’t the ones we normally have problems with,” said Rutherford. “I’m glad to see good, law-abiding people carrying guns. Look at the times those people are able to stop a violent crime and save themselves.”
Another requirement included in the permit application is “Acceptable Training Documentation.” This documentation can be obtained by enrolling in one of the many concealed weapons classes offered at area firearms dealers. Shooters Firearms and Accessories on University Avenue charges $50 for the class it holds every Saturday starting at 10 a.m. The class can accommodate 115 students and the store’s Web site warns interested people to arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. or risk missing the class because it reached its maximum capacity. Bullseye Gun and Pawn on Atlantic Boulevard offers the three hour class for $59.95, but offers smaller classes for more one-on-one instruction, said owner Jackie Miller, a former Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Officer.
“We feel the small class size is necessary for instruction on something that is so important,” said Miller.
Recent days have been filled with lookers and buyers at the store that has been open since 1981. While people are being cautious with their money, being safe is a reason some new customers are coming in.
“A lot of new customers have told us they are buying or considering a firearm because of home invasion,” said Miller.
Other people feel the spike in applications has been spurred by fear of the possible actions of President Barack Obama’s administration.
“When (Obama) was elected, his gun banning ways and contempt for the second amendment started driving an increase (in permit applications),” said Marion Hammer, executive director of the Unified Sportsmen of Florida and a past president of the National Rifle Association. “I would suggest that now that he has nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the U.S. Supreme Court, a well-known adversary to the second amendment, there will be another big bump.”
That bump may be too much for the Division of Licensing for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to handle. It recently fended off an attempt by the Florida Legislature to pull $6 million from the Division of Licensing Trust Fund to help balance the State Budget. The fund includes fees from concealed weapons permits, which are bogging down the division due to the background checks required for each application.
“They need that money now more than ever,” said Hammer. “The problem is they have to go to the Legislature and ask for permission to spend their own money for staff and equipment they need.”
The Division is required by law to issue a decision on a permit within 90 days of the receipt of a completed application, but applicants are waiting beyond that time frame.
“October of last year there was about a 90-day wait,” said Miller. “We are hearing reports that people are having to wait up to five months now that there are so many people in the system trying to obtain them all at once.”
The best way to keep a record of the progress of a license is to send documents by certified mail, so there is a timeline of when the application was received to the time it was processed.
The establishment of that timeline would help an applicant to show they have given the Division of Licensing the required 90-days and present them with the option of pursuing legal means to obtain the license, said attorney Eric Friday.
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