Gun stuff

Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Kevin Grant, owner of Dalton’s Sons of Grant Pawn and Sporting Goods, said gun sales have been strong for several months. But he said it’s impossible to say how much of that is due to interest in the constitutional carry bill.

“This bill might help increase sales a little but, but it’s hard to tell how much,” he said.

“I don’t have a comment on the new law at this time,” said Dalton Police Chief Cliff Cason. “I haven’t had a chance to review the new law.”

The Dalton Police Department doesn’t collect data on gun permits or how often officers encounter people who are carrying concealed weapons with permits. 

From Whitfield County Sheriff Scott Chitwood:

Whether it will increase or reduce crime will be the question in general. Those authorized to carry now vs. the criminal minded individuals that currently carried regardless of how the law reads the law. As I understand it, the new law eliminates the background checks for application to carry. (**However I have NOT read the final version of the signed law!!)

The Officer may check for a permit, if there was reason to suspect the individual beyond the reason for the encounter. Often times the “law abiding citizen” offers the gun permit as an additional form of ID.

Being that an individual can currently carry in their vehicle, home and place of business without permit, not much will change in that aspect. However, it is not uncommon to find a “convicted felon” in possession of a firearm, which is a violation now.