Buchanan County has seen a huge decrease in the number of people applying and renewing concealed carry permits.

New legislation went into effect January 1, making concealed carry permits unnecessary for Missourians in many places. Last year, lawmakers passed constitutional carry legislation which allows Missourians 21 and older who can legally own guns carry them concealed anywhere they can openly carry and do so without a permit. In Buchanan County, Sheriff Bill Puett said, applications went from an average of around 180 a month to less than 20.

“People have gone away from getting the concealed carry permits,” Puett said. “We’re also seeing some folks who aren’t renewing.”

Even though both Missouri and Kansas have similar legislation regarding concealed carry, Puett said a permit is required if you’re not a state resident.

“The constitutional carry only applies to Missouri residents,” Puett said. “If you go to Kansas and you’re carrying a concealed weapon you’re in violation because you’re not a Kansas resident.”

Puett said individuals carrying still need to follow gun laws.

“At least with a permit class you get to discuss all the legal requirements, use of force, all the places you can go and can’t go and what happens if you violate the law,” Puett said. “The requirement of going to class to get the permit is really good because it gives the person carrying a weapon a little more information.”

Puett said even if someone isn’t applying for a concealed permit it’s still a good idea to get training on how to safely handle a weapon, gun laws, and how to act if a firearm were needed to be used for defense.

“If you put a gun on you need to know what you’re getting into when you do that,” Puett said.