As uncertainty, poverty and violence all seem to be growing concerns both nationally and here locally, the demand for concealed weapons permits in the Palmetto State is growing rapidly.
About 500 thousand of the state's over 5 million people currently have a permit and that number is still going up. The demand began its rapid increase when the state passed the Open Carry with Training Act back in August of 2021.
Since that law went into effect SLED has issued nearly 40,000 new permits. SLED says they are backlogged in approving concealed weapons permits, as they currently are processing over 20,000 applications. The agency asks for patience from permit seekers as they go through in the process.





