Since it legalized concealed carry in 2011, the state of Wisconsin has seen a surge in both gun ownership and gun owners applying for concealed carry permits.

This week, the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Criminal Information Bureau’s Firearms Unit issued the 300,000th permit.

“The dedicated professionals at the Department of Justice have provided a safe, secure and efficient process for the issuance of concealed carry permits since 2011 Act 35 went into effect on November 1st, 2011,” said Attorney General Schimel. “Wisconsin has always had a rich tradition of firearms ownership, and I am proud to lead the agency that ensures law abiding citizens can exercise their rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment.”

In 2015, 45,549 concealed carry applications were processed and 131,648 background checks were completed in total. So far in 2016, 19,515 concealed carry applications were processed and 46,658 background checks were completed in the Dairy State.

Impressive!

With the number of concealed carry permit holders growing in Wisconsin, you should expect this to show in the primaries on April 5th as well as election day in November.

“These are engaged people, people who vote. They are people who are concerned. Carrying a gun is not a casual thing for people. This is a very motivated group of people who see how important it is. And it is. It is literally your life in some cases,” says Nik Clark, chairman and president of Wisconsin Carry.