Jefferson County Citizens Spark Boom In Concealed Carry Permits, Citing Personal Safety And The Election Of Democrats

"Local gun dealers and firearms instructors also have seen a spike in sales and class enrollment in the last few months. They say people want to arm themselves because of fear over a recent rash of shootings and gun-related incidents — specifically in Jeffco — and their expectation that the rising power locally and nationally of Democrats will lead to reduced rights for gun owners"--RMN

I'm shocked. Shocked:

Between March 1 and 11, the Jeffco sheriff's office received 246 applications from residents who want to carry firearms. That's five times the number of applications submitted for the entire month of March 2007, according to the sheriff's office.

Since Jan. 1, the sheriff's office has received more than 500 concealed carry applications, almost as many as all of 2006. Statewide, applications have risen nearly 50 percent between 2006 and 2007.

Tiffany Morgan, a college student and part-time employee at the Green Mountain Family Shooting Center in Lakewood, applied for a concealed carry permit in Jeffco in late February.

The 29-year-old Lakewood resident said she's owned a Ruger .357 since September, but decided to apply for the permit so she can travel with her handgun to Wyoming to see her parents and to night classes.

"If I go to stop at a gas station or if I have to stop at the bathroom you never know what can happen on a road trip," she said. "I'd rather have it than not have it."

Actually I'm not shocked.

No, not shocked by citizens exercising their rights. But apparently the writer at the Rocky Mountain News is, um, like totally surprised:

Jefferson County is seeing a shocking rise in applications for concealed gun permits.

Interesting choice of words--perhaps "alarming" was too extreme? How about a lede that actually includes a mention of what is prompting the upswing?

Nah, just bury it in the 7th graf:

Local gun dealers and firearms instructors also have seen a spike in sales and class enrollment in the last few months. They say people want to arm themselves because of fear over a recent rash of shootings and gun-related incidents — specifically in Jeffco — and their expectation that the rising power locally and nationally of Democrats will lead to reduced rights for gun owners.

"As of late, in Jefferson County alone, we have had a ton of situations where people have felt threatened," said Rich Wyatt, manager of Gunsmoke gun shop in Wheat Ridge, a firearms instructor and former police chief. He cited recent fatal shootings at an Arvada youth mission, an Arvada Burger King, and standoffs with barricaded armed men.

Wyatt also said people are trying to get carrying permits because they fear restrictions with a Democratic governor or expect a Democrat will become president.
. . .
Sportsman's Warehouse in Littleton, another large Jeffco gun dealer, also is seeing a rise in gun sales, said salesman Lee Wilson.

"I think it's largely due to the political change that's coming," Wilson said. "Most people are afraid of both Hillary and Obama. That's a big deal."

Sounds reasonable to me.

So, is the RMN journalist "shocked"--by citizens exercising their rights and employing their freedoms?

"Shocked"--by citizens fearing that control of the state and federal branches of government by gun-control mongering Democrats will reduce or eliminate their rights?

"Shocked"--by citizens who might actually, gulp, not like the Obamessiah?

Or "shocked"--by citizens who would rather defend themselves against would-be assailants than wait for government assistance (even the best can come too late)?

MSM bias and sensationalism? No, not shocking at all.

FreedomSight calls the developing story "encouraging," not "shocking."