More in South Carolina Packing Heat

HARDEEVILLE, SC—You never know who’s carrying a gun, and these days more folks are doing it legally. In South Carolina, new weapons permits almost doubled this year.

More than 28,000 South Carolinians have gotten a permit through October 2009, compared to 14,000 over the course of last year. Nearly 100,000 people in South Carolina now hold concealed weapons permits.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division says the state is following a national trend in the rising number of concealed weapons permits.

“About a 40 percent increase in sale and about a 70 percent increase in training,“ said Ed Soto, general manager at Palmetto Indoor Range in Hardeeville.

Soto believes fear is behind the rise in gun permits. “One, because of the new administration and the fear of at some point in time them writing laws against our Second Amendment rights, and two, everybody knows that people are out of work. People out of work doing stupid things, if you will,“ he said.

But some folks say a growing fear of crime makes arming yourself the smart decision

“I don’t know if there’s that much crime in the area, but I do.. You know, it’s just an extra precaution to take,“ said new gun owner John Pulcini.

Soto said about 60 percent of those he trains are women, many who come for self-defense and stay to enjoy the sport.

But people from all walks of life are now locking and loading firearms.

“Believe it or not, it spans the gauntlet. Skin color doesn’t matter. What part of the tracks you come from doesn’t matter. How much money you have…“ said Soto.

Earlier this year, so many people wanted to buy guns there was a shortage. Soto said demand for guns seems to have slowed down, but ammunition is still in such short supply that Soto only sells ammo to people who fire it in his gun range.

“People are buying as much as they can. Consequently, the prices of ammo have gone through the roof,“ he said.

According to South Carolina’s The State newspaper, “public officials have not reported problems caused by people who carry concealed weapons.“

Advocates for crime victims are concerned about the rise in gun sales. They point out for example the majority of women murdered by their abusers are shot.