Surge in firearms permits in Lancaster County
Requests for permits up more than 100 percent in March and April
LINCOLN – Public fear over the pandemic maybe behind a surge in firearms purchase permits in Lancaster County, according to public safety officials.
Firearms purchase permits were up 132% for March, and about 100% for April, according to stats released by Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner.
Typically, purchase permits for firearms average 200 to 300 request per month but in March and April requests spiked to 758 and 553 respectively.
The sheriff’s department says permit processing is taking longer than normal due to the increase in requests and because everything is being handled by mail.
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | |
| January | 388 | 302 | 296 | 318 |
| February | 420 | 303 | 275 | 342 |
| March | 356 | 409 | 327 | 758 |
| April | 242 | 294 | 246 | 553 |
| May | 215 | 209 | 211 | |
| June | 215 | 220 | 205 | |
| July | 196 | 216 | 214 | |
| August | 218 | 263 | 305 | |
| September | 213 | 223 | 243 | |
| October | 301 | 273 | 231 | |
| November | 309 | 275 | 229 | |
| December | 333 | 319 | 329 |
SOURCE: Lancaster Co. Public Safety – Firearms purchase permits
