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So many people are rushing out to get permits, many cities now have waiting lists that are being counted in months. (AP Photo/File)

Wait times for concealed weapons permits skyrocketing in Washington

Getting a concealed weapons permit in Washington is pretty easy. You just pass a background check, give up your fingerprints, pay your money and wait 30 days.

But that's changed in the last two months. So many people are rushing out to get permits, many cities now have waiting lists that are being counted in months.

Brian Roberts lives in Covington. He went to his local police station to get an appointment to begin his application process. He was told he would have to wait a month to get an appointment. So many people are worried their guns rights are going to be taken away they are flooding the system.

"With all the gun bans they're trying to impose on our 2nd Amendment, it's now or never I guess," Roberts said while waiting to get his fingerprints taken.

Roberts didn't want to wait the month so he drove to the King County courthouse in Seattle where permits are taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. There were about six people in front of him, including Kathryn Czichas of Newcastle who wants a handgun for personal protection.

"We're worried that there's going to be more and more restrictions on what we're able to purchase and even with ammunition limits," Kathryn said. "We thought we'd better move on this faster."

Julia Haggerty takes concealed weapons permit applications three days a week at the Shoreline Police Department. The normal wait time used to be about a week.

"We're booked up through the end of March," Haggerty said. "So we're about two months booked out right now."

Haggerty said she saw a similar rush right after President Obama was elected in 2008, and now again after the Colorado theater shooting, Newtown school shooting, and the President's re-election.

"It doubled way back when, and now we're seeing another double," Haggerty said. "The phone calls have actually quadrupled."

She said people from every walk of life are coming in: young, old, male, female. Many who have never had a gun or aren't sure if they'll ever have one. Almost all are worried that if they don't act now, it will be too late. "Some people are almost in a panic about it," she said.

Going through the application process can take 30 to 45 minutes. You should call your local police department to find out what the waiting list looks like, or you can always go to the main sheriff's offices around the state where they don't take appointments. Seattle Police also take applications on a first come, first serve basis at the main office downtown.

Chris Sullivan, KIRO Radio Reporter
Chris loves the rush of covering breaking news and works hard to try to make sense of it all while telling stories about real people in extraordinary circumstances.
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Comments (50)


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  • SickofSeattleite wrote...
    sounds like washingtonian gun owners are
    showing how they really feel about gun control....they want to control their own guns!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • FormerMarineSgt wrote...
    @sickofseattleite
    It's funny how stupid this is. 1) A concealed carry permit has nothing to do with whether a new gun law will take away your right to that kind of (hand)gun. 2) Assault weapons are being considered for ban, not your freaking pistol. 3) NO ONE is considering taking away your right to any sort of standard pistol (not even the average semi-automatic pistol). 3) People can be complete idiots - letting themselves be thrown into a major panic in a way that has nothing to do with what's going on around them. Proof of this is my first two points. ------- I've had my concealed carry permit for about 2 years now, have nearly never carried (rarely ever in a situation that I beleive warrants carrying - but that's just me), and I'm certainly not anti-gun. Nor am I one of these over the top pro-gun fools either.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    sounds like washingtonians
    parents of dead kids wants government to control guns of gun owns.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Seattle is a cesspool wrote...
    CH....
    You tired old fool.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    CH - don't be all dramatic
    More kids die in automobile accidents than because of gun violence or gun accidents and it's not even close, where are you with your signs and chants to take away everybody's ability to drive? If you're worried about Children then maybe you should be more worried about Alcohol and drug abuse too, more kids Overdose or die from Alcohol poisoning than Guns you know this. This is pathetic... why do you people not understand that freedom comes with responsibility, not all of us are so stupid and futile that we can't handle the responsibility of owning a gun, just because you and stupid people like you don't feel like you can handle the responsibility doesn't mean the rest of us are completely helpless and ignorant.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • FormerMarineSgt wrote...
    @cbrew,,,,
    More kids die in ______ manner than with guns... Guess what? In every case you mention there are laws designed to keep dangerous products or dangerous situations at a minimum. We have laws to prosecute idiots who let kids get alcohol. We have laws to try to prevent people from driving stupid and harming others (including kids). When we find a situation with any of the things you can come up with where 'More kids die in ____ manner than with guns' that can be prevented, we either create (or fix) laws that help prevent that senseless loss. If laws aren't the right thing, we collectively change society to shame people into NOT doing that thing that allows that harm to children. Yet with guns - the 'pro gun' kind won't let that very same kind of response happen. Why? Because someone's whipped up a 'fear of government' in you that's isolated to guns? Or is it because unrestrained access to all kinds of guns make them more manly? -------- I have no problem with gun ownership or self protection, but to not allow an adult conversation about guns and to use false arguements like 'more kids die in ______ manner' to prevent that converstation??????
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • irony wrote...
    find out the facts first
    99% of guns are not used from crime. only the guns in possession of criminals are used for a crime. arrest the criminals and keep them in jail and you'll cut down on gun violence. the rest of society should be allowed to keep their guns.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • FormerMarineSgt wrote...
    @irony
    But when laws passed at the demand of the pro gun lobby PREVENT the ATF from enforcing many gun laws, and when these laws passed at the demand of the pro gun lobby prevent the CDC and the National Institutes of Health from being able to fund gun violence research 'because the results "MAY" seem pro-gun control', then how can they enforce the laws and throw these guys in jail, or learn WHY this gun violence occurs so that we can find ways to prevent it? Or when the very same folks who demand that 'the bad guys' be locked up won't vote to pay for more prisons to make room for these people that they demand to be locked up..... What I'm trying to say is that the 'simplistic answer' of 'lock 'em up' isn't as simple as you think it is.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Seattle is a cesspool wrote...
    I guess it must be rough living in Shoreline...
    I have heard of no problems from other cities. I have a Concealed Carry Permit currently but have seen my friends making a run for the documentation. I think Shoreline is a special case because other areas (Everett, Monroe, unincorporated areas Etc.) do not need an appointment. You just walk into your local police department or Sheriff's office and fill out the proper documentation for the background check. Less than thirty days for my friend recently. But saying that it is difficult is best for the propaganda machine I'm sure.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • monkeyal wrote...
    Seattle ran a gun show with no background check
    last Saturday as buyers and sellers hovered under I-5..Now let's facilitate the concealed weapons permit process with the same zeal, vigor, and enthusiasm as was displayed by courts and government when the same-sex marriage licences were in so much heavy demand last month!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    I don't understand the rush to get a concealed weapons permit.
    For all you paranoid gun owners, that is like telling the government which house to go to, to confiscate your weapon.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    isn't there an expedited process for the REALLY SCARED?
    Those unfortunate people, afraid to leave their homes without their guns. What about them? This is an outrage.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • WAmovesRight wrote...
    It's not fear, it's self-reliance
    We prepare for our careers because we want to support ourselves & families - thankful for the safety net for circumstances that our out of our control - but we prepare to fend for ourselvs.

    Many learn First-aid / CPR - Not because our lives revolve around EMS, but simply as a precaution against the unexpected. Again, we're thankful for the EMS system but we understand they can't be everywhere all the time and so, as responsible citizens, we should be prepared.

    3 days/3 ways - a program that encourages familes & business to prepare for three days without any help after a major disaster. The hope is that you will never need to use it. But, should something happen and nobody is able to reach your family, you are at least prepared to help yourself.

    We own guns and train to use them. It's not that we're scare to leave our homes without them. Rather, as part of our nature to be self-reliant and prepared, we understand the the good guys in blue cannot be everywhere all the time. Our world doesn't reovolve around guns. self-defence is just another aspect of life responsible people prepare for.

    Notice a common theme... It's about

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    3 days?
    3 days is about as worthless as your arsenal. 2 weeks is the new recommendation, especially in a region like ours that has so many bridges and waterways.

    kudos on first aid/cpr.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • WAmovesRight wrote...
    I agree
    ... 3 days isn't near long enough. I'm simply using a popoular slogan from the area as an example... You're kinda missing the point, friend. :)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    WAmovesRight - Calapete misses every point.....
    This guy feels that we should all give up our guns... hold hands and sing Kumbaya because there's just no way anybody would want to do you harm... in short he's a modern day hippy. I've witnessed his stupid arguments all week long, he continues to talk about people who own guns as if they're all crazy. He believes everybody is safe we just don't need guns to protect ourselves... that the liklihood we'll need them is too low to warrant having them.. Pretty stupid argument against guns if you ask me, thats like saying, the liklihood my house is going to burn down is statistically EXTREMELY low so why i can't I remove my smoke detectors and fire extinguisher... In short, Calapete is an idiot... he's too stupid for words, he has no logical arguments i honestly believe he gets online to fight people over these topics because people in the real world won't listen to him... he's too stupid to have friends etc. so i guess that's why we have to deal with him.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Seattle is a cesspool wrote...
    Calapete...
    You truly are missing the point. But a moron would be easily confused by normal situations.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Wa Moves Right
    Lets be honest about it,First of all you Rightys are scared of your own shadow and even the thought of having a concealed weapon gives you impotent old fools a small Boner
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    Messiah - this is not a right or left issue
    the issue is of constitutional law being upheld and citizen's freedoms not being infringed upon because a few psychotic individuals abused those freedoms... people have abused the freedom of speech the freedom of religion the freedom of the press but you don't see a bunch of people marching to remove those freedoms... so stop trying to take away people's freedom and right to bear arms.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    Calapete, you know that you're scared right?
    you're a bleeding vagina when it comes to guns, you're terrified, and the sad thing is, you're terrified of a tool... You're such a coward it's unbelievable. You're afraid of having to be responsible, and you think because you're so irresponsible that nobody else can be responsible. Sorry you coward, not all of us are as stupid as you, in fact the majority of people are smarter than you and can handle the responsibility of owning a gun. Idiots like you shouldn't own guns, but again the majority of people aren't so why don't you shut your mouth and leave intelligent responsible people alone that can handle owning a gun.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    I love you to Cbrew.
    now please don't shoot yourself by accident. The biggest irony!

    SUMMERVILLE, SC, 1/24/13: The subject, a 22-year-old black male, came into the family room while they were playing video games, put his hand in his pocket to retrieve something and pulled out a .22 caliber pistol. The gun went off, shooting the victim in the right shoulder.

    DES MOINES, IA, 1/25/13: An Iowa gun dealer was hospitalized after he accidentally shot himself in the hand before a gun show Friday afternoon at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The man told police he was trying to dry fire, or fire the gun without a round in it. He said the gun was unloaded when he checked it earlier in the week and he didn’t know who would have loaded it. Police found another loaded gun on the man’s table and unloaded it, according to the report. That's the 7th person accidentally shot at gun shows this month, by the way.

    BATON ROUGE, LA, 1/26/13: A 16-year-old boy turned himself in Sunday to Baton Rouge police detectives in the death Saturday of a 17-year-old Baton Rouge teenager who was shot in the back while the two teens played with a gun, a police spokesman said. It was the fourth shooting death in the area since Dec. 29 that involved teenagers playing or passing around a gun.

    ENON, OH, 1/20/13: Deputies said three men were looking at a newly purchased Glock 9 mm. While trying to disassemble it for cleaning, they said the man pulled the trigger and the gun discharged. Brian Rose, 29, of Holiday Valley, was hit in the ankle. They said Rose was alert and talking when medics arrived.

    this gun problem may just sort itself out after all!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    Calapete
    Accidents happen, they happen with Cars too, you're not demanding everybody turn their cars in... this is just stupid, it's round and round with you, you try to make a stupid point, 50 people point out how stupid your argument is, you don't respond then come back with the same tired stupid argument. The bottom line is, Guns are a right we are promised in our constitution, as much as your free speech and your 4th amendment rights (that you for some reason said i don't support) These are equal to the 2nd Amendment rights we also enjoy, you don't get to choose to take away someone's 1st amendment rights and you don't get to choose to take away anyones 2nd amendment rights either.. you can point to as many incidents of gun accidents you want, the bottom line is, these are guaranteed rights and Myself and any of these other people trying to reach your inferior intellect understand that with freedom's come responsibilities, just because a handful of people can't handle those responsibilities, doesn't mean everybody should lose their freedom... so get off it Calapete, your argument is pathetic and everybody knows you're just an irresponsible coward and that's why you're opposing guns.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    No, I said you don't care that the 4th amendment has been violated
    Gun nuts hide behind the Constitution, pretending to defend it, when the 4th Amendment was obliterated while all of you stood by and watched and said "I feel safer".
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    Calapete - What are you referring to?
    Because I need a little more to go off of than "when the 4th amendment was obliterated and you stood by and watch and said I feel safer" I have never approved of anyone taking away our rights... I'd love to hear where you believe this happened and what it is you believe i supported.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    Cbrew:
    Patriot act and the Warrantless wire tap program both deny your 4th amendment rights. The right wingers said " I don't have anything to hide, this makes me safer".

    http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/12/senate-fisa-amendments/

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    Calapete - I am not a right winger
    In fact I supported Obama in this election... To be completely honest I lean more Dem normally, I am for the president's economic policies as well.. I was in Iraq when the Patriot act was signed, I was in complete disbelief when i heard about it... It was definitely a case of the Government overstepping it's bounds and overreacting to a set of unusual events, which is exactly how i feel about this gun issue. I do not believe taking people's guns away makes people safer nor do i think the Patriot act or any legislation that abuses our 4th amendment rights makes us safer. I just don't understand how you can support the 4th amendment and feel so strongly that taking our rights away is wrong yet at the same time support the Government (regardless of party in power) taking away another right... You are simply taking preference over which right you support, that is something i will never understand. It's not about politicians it's about us, just because a right can be misused by a few troubled individuals doesn't mean that it should be taken away from the whole. I mean, the press leaked info on where we were in Iraq which could have cost American service members their lives, should we take away the freedom of the press? People misuse their freedom of speech all the time... how bout those freaks that protest soldier's funerals, they completely abuse their freedom of speech, should we take it away from everyone? NO... so why take away our right to bear arms? Just because a few have abused it? Because you're uncomfortable with firearms? Really why do you support banning our rights? our freedoms?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    I don't support ending the second amendment
    I support common sense restrictions.

    Background checks for all gun sales, through a national database that determines who can't own guns, either based on criminal convictions of mental health issues.

    I support a one strike approach to gun ownership. If you so much as accidentally discharge your weapon, you lose your right to own one.

    I'd like to see laws in place for gun responsibility. Call it Jennas law. For Jenna Carslile, the dead kid of a cop who was irresponsible. I'd like to see laws that hold people responsible for leaving guns unsecured. I'd go so far as putting liability on the original gun owner if they irresponsibly get their gun stolen and it is used in a crime. Many people just don't get responsible gun ownership, lets get the guns out of their hands.

    And yes, I support the ban on Assault weapons and large capacity clips. Also, handguns. No purpose.

    The First amendment has restrictions. So should the Second.

    Thanks for your service to our Country.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • bigdogina4x4 wrote...
    Calapete, one strike for accidents?
    How about 1 strike for rapeists, killers, thiefs, drunk drivers, and so on, I mean before we crucify someone for an accident. You're an idiot.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    you are making my point.
    convicted rapists, killers, felony theft.. guess what? No guns for them.

    If you can't be responsible, why should innocent people die?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • bigdogina4x4 wrote...
    Calapete, what about
    Where's your lefty principles for the protection of privacy rights for the mentally ill, that you suggest should be kept track of in a national database?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    privacy is a concern
    But why would the database need to say anything beyond Yes or No? A felon would show up no as would a person with mental issues.

    If the person applying wants to know why they can't get a gun, they will get a letter in a few weeks, just like you do when your credit application is not approved.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    CBREW
    There you go again making a ridiculous comparison. Guns and Cars.Face it WE NEED cars they are an important part of society they enable us to get to our jobs,they bring (trucks) our food to the market,they transport us to places of education. Guns?They bring agony to the world they are designed solely to bring death
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    MESSIAH101
    I'm not making rediculous comparisons. You're being naive, you know as well as i do that the only people that will follow gun laws are law abiding citizens, if this was a perfect world, there would be no need for guns, but the reality is, just because a law abiding citizen would turn over their gun, doesn't mean a gang banger or any other criminal would turn theirs over. You're asking people to depend solely on law enforcement to protect them, it's impossible for them to protect everyone and you know it. So why on Earth would you act so childish and think that everybody including criminals would change their ways and turn their guns in and become well adjusted members of society? there's laws against illegal drugs, how's that working out Messiah? You're being stupid about this, not only is it a matter of protection against those who would make you and other law abiding citizens victims, it's a right guaranteed to us in the constitution so that if at some point in our history the Government becomes so oppresive it can be overthrown by the people. You're asking everyone to disarm and allow only the Government to be armed, that my friend is a dangerous precedent and a threat to any free society.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    LEO's yea righ
    I have family that are Police and they are appalled at what goes on in Everett. 3 times Ive called because of suspicious people prowling. All three times they didn't show till 30 - 45 min later. Of the 3, 2 neighbors had stuff stolen. Give descriptions of cars and people is all I could do.

    Ive talked to a lot of friends around here, they have the same problem, police never show till 20 - 30 min later.L

    Im nervous in my neighborhood, for we are getting a lot of, lets just say, not exactly legal people. I can say that, because the van that is parked at one house I caught a view before they slammed the door. It had beds in it. The house seems to have 1 family that is permanent and every other month there are 2 or 3 families that come then go.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Rick
    What have you done about it? It certainly sounds as if you have done NOTHING. And please don't give us that BS about ,its no use they won't do anything type of reason.By the way a van with beds is often referred to as a camper
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    CBREW
    Again I will mention that the GOAL is not taking away your right to own a gun.Now lets get to the LAW.Your correct changing gun laws will not automatically get guns out of the hands of people who want to do harm with them.But changing gun laws along with going after the way guns exchange hands,addressing mental health issues,violent tv,movies,video games will over time probably have an effect on our society.WE were able to change society s views in this country on race relations as well as drunk driving this same way it took a while but it certainly worked.That can't be denied
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • bigdogina4x4 wrote...
    Hey Mess
    We could impose horsepower limits, make them in-capable of speeds over 25 mph. That would make them safer, Yes?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    bigdog
    What are you talking about?I have NO idea
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Hey all you mindless Left wing Parrots,
    the SKYROCKETING gun sales, the quadrupled CCW permits and those asking for them with all of where is your long hoped for BLOOD BATH that your Liberal masters are telling you would happen and that you are to be paranoid about?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • WAmovesRight wrote...
    Teh Battlefield for Gun Rights...
    ... is with the proverbial pen.

    I hope all of you who jump on MyNW and comment for gun rights are also emailing/writing/calling your state & federal legislature and asking for their help.

    It's important that they hear from us... even if we KNOW they're against the 2nd amendment. I my area, everyone of my legislature is democrat...and they're all for taking as much of the gun rights as they think they can get... but I still write to them.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    WAmovesRight
    Do you want MORE gun rights?Because you already have the right to own a gun and no one is asking to disarm you.What are you so afraid of? And if the problem is solved what will you be afraid of next?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sohojo wrote...
    Seems to Me
    The liberals in government and the media have done a good job increasing the ownership and number of guns amongst the general population, makeing things safer? I hope so.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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