Tennessee handgun permit applications surge

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NASHVILLE - Applications for Tennessee handgun carry permits increased by more than 100 percent during the first six months of this year, a period that saw the Legislature enact new laws protecting permit holders from criminal prosecution and prohibiting public release of their names.

The state Department of Safety and Homeland Security, which issues the permits, reported Thursday that it accepted 86,334 handgun carry permit applications at driver services centers from Jan. 1 through June 30, compared with 40,503 applications accepted during the first six months of 2012 - an increase of 113 percent.

The state had 431,538 handgun permit holders as of July 8, the department said. That includes 27,742 in Knox County - more than any other county except Shelby, which had 50,570.

Read more from our news partners at The Tennessean.

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