Concealed weapons permits, applications skyrocketing

"Just so when I fire it, it brings somebody down," said the 50-year-old single mother. "It's not something that needs to make a fashion statement for me because it's not something people will see."

In fact, the less people see of her gun the better, she said.

That won't mean the Ocala woman will hide her purchase under her mattress or in the drawer of her night stand. It will more than likely end up holstered on her hip or strapped to her ankle.

"I just want to be able to protect myself and my daughter," said Jones, who recently finished firearms training and is applying for a concealed weapons permit. "While I'm waiting for the police, what can happen in 45 minutes, what can happen in 15? What can happen in five?

"I don't want to be the victim of a crime," she said. "I know it's out there. I know it happens."

Jones is not alone in choosing to carry a gun.

She is among a skyrocketing number of Floridians, including many from Marion and Alachua counties, applying for concealed weapons licenses.

Ten years ago, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued 258 concealed weapon licenses in Alachua County, according to records. Between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010, the department issued 1,912 licenses. Marion County saw a similar trend.

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