Amherst Gun Permits Doubled In December

Gun permit applications in Amherst increased last year, and rose sharply in the wake of political response to the Sandy Hook shooting in December.

According to information provided by the Amherst Police Department, a total of 29 permits were issued in December 2012 compared to just 11 permits in December 2011. Overall, there were 175 gun permits total in Amherst last year, which is 29 more than the previous year.

Looking at December gun permit applications in previous years shows that the amount has increased over time. Only five permits were issued in December 2007, and single digits in 2008-2009, compared to the 16 issued in 2010.

Gun sales spiked nationally after the horrific school shooting as politicians called for action on gun ownership and sales. The gun business had already seen a surge after the reelection of President Barack Obama in November.

Obama signed 23 executive orders on gun control today, which included stronger safety programs in schools and more comprehensive background checks. The NRA has called the president an “elitist hypocrite” for having armed guards protect his own family, while being against armed protection in schools nationwide.