News 12 at 11 o'clock, November 2, 2009

AIKEN, S.C.---The number of new concealed weapons permits issued in South Carolina has nearly doubled this year. More than 28-thousand permits have been issued so far this year -- and that number will likely increase.

Ask any gun store owner and they will tell you they believe the rise in gun sales started near last year's election, but they will also tell you that the desire to carry and conceal has always been there for many in South Carolina and Georgia. More people are simply acting upon that desire.

I'm just paranoid," says Cameron Michael. Michael says he wants to be prepared, just in case.

"More people are gun conscious these days and more people just want to carry guns for their safety or maybe protect their family," he adds.

The desire to purchase a gun is what led him to Sidney's Department Store.Michael already has the permit to conceal and carry. Like many people in Georgia and South Carolina he is arming himself. According to SLED( South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) the number of South Carolinians requesting permits has nearly doubled this year. So far is 28,197 new concealed weapons permits have already been issued compared with 14,630 permits - in all of 2008.

"This permit to carry, will eventually become a permit to possess a firearm,"says M.Steven Fishman, owner of Sidney's' Department Store. Fishman says he understands the reasoning behind the increase.

"We're finding that citizens who want to legally own guns are going out of their way to do just that," says Fishman. "People are afraid of people bashing their front doors and robbing them in their houses."

From the fear of crime to the fear of the new administration Fishman says the need to feel safer will drive in more customers. Customers like Robert Gray who lives in South Carolina.

"I know people personally that never showed any interest before that have just all of a sudden run out to get the permits," says Gray. "I think that a lot of people perceive that the world is not getting to be a better place to live."

If you have a permit in South Carolina, you are allowed to carry your guns underneath your clothes, or in a backpack or purse.