No gun rush here

Despite national some regional reports of a run on gun buying following fears of increased regulations, the gun rush doesn’t seem to have surfaced locally.

The two local police departments haven’t noticed any spikes in applications for concealed pistol licenses, spokesmen noted this week.

Coulee Dam Police Chief Pat Collins said his department has about 20 CPL’s on the books, all renewals.

“We haven’t seen any rush by people here to get concealed pistol permits,” Collins noted.

Likewise in Grand Coulee, Police Chief Mel Hunt stated about the same. A check with City Clerk Carol Boyce revealed that the city issued 34 concealed pistol permits last year, a combination of new and renewals.

There has been a big spike in permits in various communities throughout the country since the school shootings in Connecticut, but not here.

A request for information from both Okanogan and Grant Counties about CPL’s failed to turn up information.

However, Grant County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release providing hours for gun permit applications.

You can get concealed pistol licenses at the Grant County Sheriff’s office on any weekday, but only during specific hours, the department said last week

The department issued a schedule when CPL’s will be processed: From 1-3 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; or from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Persons seeking the permits must be 21 years of age and pass a background check. Felons cannot get permits to carry concealed weapons.

Those seeking permits for the first time are fingerprinted, with their application information going to the Washington State Patrol for review. It can take about 60 days before applications are processed.