Gun permit applications up sharply in Farmington

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The Farmington police department has seen a spike in the number of gun permit applications received over the past couple of weeks.

Since the Dec. 14 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., the FPD has received nearly 40 applications for permits to purchase guns.

Farmington police administrative sergeant Jim Constantineau says the police department doesn’t ask people why they are applying for gun purchase permits, but he figures there may be a correlation in the recent spike in applications.

Constantineau’s theory is that, in light of the renewed call for gun control after the school shooting, there may be people who want to make sure they get a permit, just in case the rules or regulations should change.

“I think people have the idea they won’t be able to do it anymore,” he said.

From Dec. 17 through Dec. 28, Farmington police have received 38 applications: 24 the first week, 14 the second. The applications are available online, on the police department’s portion of the city’s website.

The applications disqualify anyone who has a criminal history involving anything violent or any drug commitments. People who have received court-ordered treatment for mental illness are also unable to get a permit to purchase guns.

“We do run a fairly in-depth background check,” Constantineau said. “We do the criminal history check in house, we check with various agencies, with human services and so on. Sometimes it takes a while to get a response because we’re not the only one to get an increase in gun permit requests these days.”

The normal turn-around time for processing requests is about 10 days right now. The FPD is short-handed with staff right now, and the increased number of applicants is adding to the workload. The applications are processed when time allows. Though they try to maintain good customer service and get the applications done as soon as possible, processing incident reports does take precedent.

The permits available through the city of Farmington are only to purchase guns, Constantineau added. Anyone who wants to get a conceal and carry permit has to go through the Dakota County sheriff’s department.

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