Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department processed 21 gun permits Friday, an all-time one-day record for the department. The department processed 17 the day before. On top of the walk-in applicants, the department is receiving many more calls with questions about the gun permit application process. “Many people call in not knowing who to speak to or where to start,” said Kathy Jensen, receptionist at the KCSD. Jensen processes all applications for Kosciusko County residents. “A lot of them don’t know they have to apply online first before coming into the department.” The recent spike in applications is fueled by many factors. The holidays, hunting season and recent events such as the election and tragedy in Newtown, Conn., have many Kosciusko County residents taking their first steps into applying for a handgun permit. To begin the application process, Indiana residents must apply online. Jensen tells callers to visit www.in.gov/isp That website is a one-stop resource with links to the AIRES application, gun laws and other useful information regarding firearms. Gun laws vary by state to state, and can cause some confusion among gun owners. “I do a lot of travel out of state and there are many places I can’t take my handgun,” said Jim Duff, Warsaw, whose wife, Ellen, applied for the first time Friday. “I can’t even take my handgun into Illinois. We’re Americans, we should be able to take our guns anywhere in the country.” Duff gave his wife a handgun last year for Christmas and both stated events around the country, as well as concern over break-ins locally, as the motivation for her to apply for a permit. Another source of confusion over the application process is where to go. Residents of towns and cities must go to their respective police station. Rural county residents must go to the county sheriff’s department. After applying online for a permit and before going to local law enforcement, applicants must obtain a money order for the state application fees. State and local fees cannot be paid in one transaction. The sheriff's department accepts cash, check and money order payments for the local application fee. First-time applicants are also frequently unaware that in Indiana, a permit is not required to purchase a handgun. But gun store owners are required to run a background check on every purchase. “You do not need to have a permit to purchase,” said Rick Weed, owner of Little Hawk Knives and Guns. “Indiana law says my receipt is good enough to take it to your home. You’re also safe to take it to a range and practice. Currently there is a backlog on background checks but they are usually instant.” Some applicants have put off obtaining a firearm and permit because they’re uneasy around firearms. “We also offer a training program with a licensed trainer,” said Weed. “There’s no reason to be afraid of firearms because they’re extremely safe. It’s the person behind the firearm itself. If you just don’t like fire arms, and there are many like that, I just ask they don’t judge me because I like them. Don’t judge my beliefs.” Those interested in obtaining a handgun permit or want to know more about the state laws can visit the state’s website at www.in.gov/isp or call Kathy Jensen at the Sheriff's Department directly at 574-265-2219.
