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DATELINE (AP) -- State officials say Utah's concealed weapons permit is becoming a de facto national concealed-carry permit.
State Bureau of Criminal Identification Director Ed McConkie says six of ten concealed weapons permits issued this year have gone to nonresident applicants.
Since 1995, when permit were first issued and 2005, Utah has issued 62-thousand weapons permit. Of those, 19-thousand are held by nonresidents.
This year the state is on track to issue more than 16-thousand permits.
McConkie says the influx in applications has state workers behind schedule and unable to work on other public safety matters, such as completing background checks for school workers.
Utah's permit is one of the easiest to get nationwide. It's also recognized in 30 other states -- which may be why so many people apply.
Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
