LANSING (AP) -- Applications for concealed weapons permits more than doubled in Michigan in a recent 12-month period, a trend partly caused by a timing quirk that led to more renewals than usual.
Michigan State Police reported this week that counties received more than 73,000 applications to carry concealed weapons in the 12-month period ending June 30. More than 66,000 of those permits were approved.
Michigan changed its gun permit law in 2001 so county boards could not deny applications except for specific reasons such as felony convictions or mental illness. That led to a surge in permit applications.
Many of those who got permits after the law was changed were due to renew their licenses last year.
Some say fears about the economy and politics contribute to the trend.
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