Connecticut town sees increase in gun permits

The sad story of the murder of Dr. William Petit's family by two home invaders last year is well documented. The case made national news for the brutal nature of the attack that left his wife and two daughters dead. The two alleged suspects are awaiting trial on capital felony and multiple murder, sexual assault, and arson charges.

This article looks at how the sole surviving victim, Dr. William Petit is trying to cope with his terrible loss, and notes that more people are getting guns for self-protection:

Residents here are more guarded than a year ago - many bought deadbolts and alarms for their homes, and some signed up for gun-safety classes so they could buy firearms.

Gun permit applications in Cheshire, located 14 miles north of New Haven, jumped substantially after the Petits were attacked. There were 81 completed applications last year, more than double the 33 in 2006. Fifty-nine of the applications from last year were filled out after the crimes, police said.

"It was an eye-opener for everybody," said Frank Solla, a 38-year-old landscaper doing work near the Petit property.

Most rational people instinctively grasp the protective power of weaponry, but sometimes it takes a tragedy like this one, or a natural disaster, or civil unrest, to break through the anti-gun "police will protect you" propaganda to see the essential value of firearms.