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by Kim
Fickett
Landmark reporter
To date, the Platte County Sheriff’s Department
has issued one-third of the concealed carry weapons
(CCW) permits it had originally projected this
summer.
According to Amanda Terhune, civil clerk for
concealed weapons permits at the sheriff’s
department, since July 12 there have been 223
applications received, with 191 permits issued,
three denied due to their criminal history, and
action still pending on the reminder.
That first day, the sheriff’s department
was expecting 150 applications for CCWs. Instead,
52 Platte County citizens turned out to apply
for the permits.
“The numbers are a little under what we
were actually thinking,” said Captain Frank
Hunter. “We were expecting 500-600 over the
first couple of months.”
Hunter continued, “Originally we were thinking
one percent of the eligible population, which
in that case would’ve been 1,000 applicants
over three years.”
Those original projections included seeing 60-70%
of the applications in the first year, and then
seeing a “turnpike effect” in the applications
numbers.
“We planned for that so if we hit that number
we could service the applicants,” said Hunter.
“We wanted to be sure to provide service
to the citizens and not have them disadvantaged.”
Hunter explained that one of the reasons for
the smaller numbers is because every state has
different laws regarding CCW permits.
According to Hunter, some states don’t require
classes in order to receive a permit, and in other
states the fee associated with the permit may
be lower or not even exist.
“People who live in Missouri may have taken
advantage of some of those laws,” said Hunter.
“The people could’ve gone to another
state and got a permit and that permit would be
valid in Missouri. That may account for the numbers
being lower than we prepared for.”
The Platte County Sheriff’s Department is
currently seeing approximately seven applications
per week.
The sheriff’s department accepts permit
applications from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday at 415 Third St., in Platte City.
Applicants must pay a $38 fee using either a
money order or cashier’s check and bring
a government-issued photo identification showing
proof of residency in Platte County. Proof of
a Social Security number and documentation showing
completion of a firearms safety course also are
required.
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