WABASH VALLEY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Indiana State Police have received so many requests for concealed weapon permits, a backlog has occurred. Because of this, it may take longer to process applications.
Indiana State Police receive more than 20,000 concealed weapon permit applications a week.
Sergeant Matt Ames with ISP says delays in the process happen if the applicant has a criminal background, if forms are filled incorrectly, or the local department holds up forwarding the information.
“We’ve slowed down our processing because the state police has asked us to do that because they’re just overwhelmed with how many they’re getting,” John Plasse, Vigo County Sheriff, said.
Plasse said the high amount of requests means people could experience a longer wait before their application is approved or denied. He asks the public to be patient as they request a permit.
“My secretary has mentioned she’s got some irate calls about that recently,” he said.
According to the sheriff, there are two reasons for the increase. The pandemic has caused a fear of the unknown, and permit requests tend to rise during presidential election years.
Steve Ellis, owner of Top Guns in Terre Haute, says the rise in permits has also shown in a rise of gun and ammo sales.
“2020 has been a very unique year where the firearms industry has seen the sales of pistols, pistol ammunition at an unprecedented rate,” Ellis said.
The application process can be done online at in.gov/isp.
A five year permit in Indiana is free. A life-time permit costs $75.
Ames said id people have questions, they need to ask online. Questions cannot be answered over the phone due to privacy laws.