TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – The Kansas Attorney General’s office has been inundated with applications for licenses to carry concealed handguns in the first three weeks of this year.

Assistant attorney general C.W. Klebe told legislators Wednesday that the office has processed 2,000 applications so far this year. He says his office might be on pace to process up to 20,000 applications this year.

Klebe wouldn’t speculate on a reason for the increase.

But Sen. Rob Olson of Olathe says he believes Kansans are afraid of gun control measures being proposed by President Barack Obama.

The Obama administration has proposed renewing a ban on assault weapons, restricting the sale of magazines that hold 20 or 30 rounds or more of ammunition and tightening background checks on gun buyers.