Pistol Permit Applications Shoot Up

Applications for pistol permits have skyrocketed in Monroe County.
In January of 2012, 178 applications were turned in to the County Clerk's office.
In January of this year, 601 people handed in their forms.
Tina Shively sat down with two of them.

Meet Patty Mancuso, mother of 3, and grandmother of 7.
We first met Patty at the Monroe County Office Building when she and daughter Lynda were picking up applications for pistol permits.
 Lynda said "She had wanted to get one and it made a lot of sense for protection."
 Following what they see as a recent increase in gun violence at home and nationwide, and the passage of the NY Safe Act, they chose to act.
 "Now is the time for us to do it," Lynda added. "Right now if it's gonna be easier than in a month or two, it's perfect timing."
 Any number of factors are causing people like Patty and Lynda to apply for pistol permits.
 You might be surprised to learn that over the last twenty years, the number of pistol permit applications in Monroe County have gone up and down.
 In 1994, 1903 applications were received.
 2004 was the low point with just under 747.
 2010 was the high point with 1995, and in 2012, 1768 were handed in.
 Patty and Lynda expect their permits in 6 to 8 months as written on the application.
 The County Clerk's office says it could take longer if new federal laws are imposed, as outlined by President Obama in last night's State of the Union address.
 Lynda added "I could wait a few extra months to get it just to make sure that the government knows that I am of sound mind and to know that other people who may not be get the same treatment? Absolutely."
 Both mother and daughter believe keeping our nation safe is just as important as keeping their homes safe.
 Patty added "We need to do things to help and if that's one of the things then I'm all for it."