| In most West Virginia counties the applications for concealed weapons permits have tripled this year, a reaction to the national gun debate and gun right's activists who are fearful that the government is going to take or regulate guns.
In most months last year, the number of permits issued in Calhoun was about six a month, according to the Calhoun County Sheriffs Department.
Since the gun debate has escalated, the sheriffs department is issuing 30-40 permits a month.
In Calhoun, 838 individuals currently have gun permits.
In a recent week, 450 Kanawha County citizens applied for a permit.
Gun permits are issued after the applicant takes a training class and passes a check to see if the person has been admitted for mental treatment or there is evidence the person has a drug or alcohol problem.
Following the mass slaying at Sandy Hook Elementary School and the debate to make back-round checks mandatory, or limit access to military-style assault rifles and large clips, WV legislators introduced 33 bills expanding or protecting the gun rights of West Virginia citizens.
Some of the bills passed and will go to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin for signing.
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