Permits rise in Wyoming

From the Equality State (what kind of nickname is that?), via the Wyoming Tribune Eagle:

CHEYENNE -- Dick Holtz leans on the counter in his East Lincolnway store, dozens of handguns displayed in the glass casing.

Behind him a rack of shotguns, long rifles and assault rifles is plucked throughout a day of business. The store is barely able to keep pace.

Men in baseball caps and women in cowboy boots mill about, chatting about their collections and handling firearms for potential purchase.

Business seems to be going well.

Holtz was once a police officer in Oregon and has owned and operated Frontier Arms for nine years.

Last month the man who has been a gunsmith since 1962 applied for a concealed weapon permit.

It is the first in his life.

In recent months permit applications have skyrocketed in Wyoming, and it has been well reported across the country that gun sales increased both before and after the November 2008 elections.

The increase doesn't surprise Holtz, and he knows why it's happening.

"It's because of our leader that got elected," he said, referring to President Barack Obama.

Holtz will join the roughly 2.8 percent of Wyoming residents who are permitted to carry a concealed gun. ...

Article here.