EVANS, GA (WFXG) -
Seeing a gun on the street in Columbia
County could become a more common sight.
The Columbia County Probate Court
typically sees 10 to 15 applications for a Georgia Weapons Carry License.
However, this week, they have seen more than
twice the normal number of applicants.
"Tuesday we did 33, Wednesday we
did 32 and yesterday we did 28 and today we have done 43 in one day," said
Probate Court Judge Alice Padgett.
Padgett says the school massacre in
Newtown, Connecticut may be the reason for the spike.
"I imagine there's a correlation
to what happened in Connecticut," Padgett, said.
Jennifer Short applied for her license
Friday because of the Sandy Hook shooting.
"Because of the tragedy with Sandy
Hook also just for my protection," said Short.
Short says she was considering getting
the license a few weeks ago, but when the Connecticut school shooting happened
she didn't wait any longer.
Folks filling out the forms think
carrying a gun could possibly prevent similar tragedies in the future.
"They'd be a little less likely to pull it out if
they thought there were more people with weapons standing around them that
might restrict them," said Candes Spencer who also applied Friday.
People with a permit can carry a handgun or a knife
concealed or openly unless they are in a place of worship, government buildings
and schools.
Someone with a
permit can keep a gun on their person or in their vehicle or when they're
picking up a student.
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