CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -
More cars than spaces at Hyatt's Gun Shop means some customers are having to find the overflow lot, but if there's a case of overflow at Hyatt's then the Mecklenburg Sheriff's Office is feeling the trickle down.
Gun buyers are applying for permits right in the store, and that has Sheriff Daniel "Chipp" Bailey planning to put extra people on the job.
"Saturday, Sunday and Monday, we had 290 applications," he said."Bring them and let them do some overtime work and let them process these faster."
At 69, Cynthia Williams is requesting a renewal for her concealed carry permit.
" I would not be proud to shoot anyone, but if they broke into my house, and I was in danger I would," she said.
Before any weapons leaves store shelves, Williams would like to see better background checks.
Store owner, Larry Hyatt agrees.
He said, "There's a lot of mental stuff that's not in the background check, and that's where we need help."
Hoping to get approved take a number and wait in line.
The backlog for firearms registrations in Mecklenburg County is just over 16 hundred.
Factor in another seven hundred requests for concealed carry permits.
So what's driving the demand, Sheriff Bailey has this explanation.
"Christmas time, a new term of office for a president, and what happened Friday has all come together."
According to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, the average wait for permits and approved paperwork is three to four months.
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