BRANCH COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – More and more people across Michigan are carrying weapons. Clerks are reporting a huge jump in concealed weapons applications across the state.

In 2001, Michigan passed a law making it easier to carry a concealed weapon and the numbers have been rapidly growing.

Between 2007 and 2008, 26,500 people applied for a concealed weapons permit, in 2009 that jumped to 66,500.

In Branch County, all those applications are putting a strain on workers.

In 2007 Branch County had only 71 applications for a concealed gun license, but in 2009 that number jumped to 400.

“We saw a huge increase in concealed weapons,” said Branch County Clerk Terry Kubasiak.

Kubasiak is the county clerk for Branch County, and says that keeping with the demand for concealed weapons permits is keeping the office's three newest employees busy.

“It's been pretty steady since 2008, and not sure why there has been an increase in concealed weapons,” said Kubasiak.

To find out what may be behind the increase, Newschannel 3 went to Freedom Firearms in Battle Creek, where Joel Fulton has been teaching concealed weapons classes for almost ten years. Fulton says he's also noticed a surge in interest.

“I think people are more concerned for their own safety,” said Fulton. “That's probably the biggest push in the increase.”

Fulton also says the change in political climate may have spurred things along. Other states have also seen increases since the election of President Barack Obama, as Democrats have historically fought for stricter gun control.

In Branch County they say there is at least one positive thing about all the applications, at $105 each, they bring in cash.

“We do generate a little bit of income for the county, so we do see a benefit,” said Kubasiak.

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