WORTHINGTON - The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension today (Friday) released the 2012 Permit to Carry Report, an annual report summarizing data collected from Minnesota law enforcement agencies regarding applications made for handgun carry permits as well as data about permit holders.

Minnesota sheriffs reported to the BCA that 33,816 permits were applied for and that they issued 31,657 permits in 2012, up significantly from recent years - more than 10,000 more than in 2011. Statewide, 9 permits were suspended, 6 voided and 285 denied in 2012.

In Nobles County, 71 people applied for permits to carry. One was denied, one voided and 69 issued.
54 new applications and 15 renewals were received in 2011, and already in 2013, 63 new applications and 5 renewals have been received.

In 2012, 23 permits were issued in Rock County, 32 in Pipestone County, 30 in Murray County and 73 in Jackson County. As of today, there are more than 125,000 valid permits to carry in Minnesota.