More residents seeking to carry concealed weapons

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office is reporting a spike in applications for new concealed weapon permits following the Connecticut school shooting.

Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry reports that on Dec. 19 the sheriff’s office received 80 concealed weapon applications. A typical Wednesday — the day permits are processed — brings 20 concealed weapon applications.

Montana law allows people to carry concealed weapons if they have a valid Montana or out-of-state permit to do so. Concealed weapons are not allowed by state law in school buildings, governmental buildings, financial institutions or any place where alcohol is sold.

Curry is reminding residents to review gun safety procedures. He notes that the guns used in the Connecticut shooting were not in secured locations.

“The shooter gained access to a semi-automatic AR-15, a Glock 10mm, and a Sig Sauer 9mm from his mother,” Curry stated in a press release. “They were not in a safe, they were not hidden, and they did not have a lock on them.”

Curry said gun owners should have gun locks for every weapon in their possession.

“Every gun purchased from a licensed gun dealer must be sold with a lock, it’s the law,” Curry stated. “The locks not only secure the weapon from children, but they cannot be operated unless unlocked by key.”

The Suicide Prevention Coalition through the Flathead City-County Health Department is providing free gun locks to local residents. A limited supply of gun locks are available at the sheriff’s office in Kalispell.