PORTLAND, Ore. – Applications for concealed carry permits more than doubled in Multnomah County after the deadly shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg.
In November, 573 people applied for a concealed carry permit, up from 250 in November, 2014. October was nearly as marked, with 469 in 2015 compared to 291 in 2014.
The UCC shooting happened on Oct. 1, 2015.
Numbers from the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office show concealed carry applications also spiked after the deadly Dec. 2012 shootings at the Clackamas Town Center and Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.
In Clark County, the number of concealed carry permit applications has jumped so dramatically that the county added staff to handle the influx.
Lt. Steve Alexander, spokesman for MSCO, said Multnomah County has not added any new staff. The agency would consider adding staff, however, if the uptick is sustained like it was in early 2013.
The increased permit requests are accompanied by a heated national debate on gun control, with President Obama and others want stronger gun laws and many, including Senator Ted Cruz, said called for more "good guys with guns."
Following the UCC shooting, Oregon Governor Kate Brown said it was not the right time to talk about more gun control in the state.
