I-Team: Gun Permits

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - In the weeks following the Newtown Connecticut school shooting, gun sales soared nationwide and here in Western Massachusetts and a 22News I-Team Investigation found it's not just gun sales that are up, we discovered more people are applying to become a new gun owner as well.

We called a few different police departments in Western Massachusetts to compare the number of gun permits taken out January of last year to January of this year, and found it's doubled in places like Agawam, Springfield and Westfield. The numbers are down in Northampton, but have tripled in West Springfield.

West Springfield Police Chief Ronald Campurciani says he's not against guns, but it concerns him that there are more of them on the streets.

"Anytime you put more guns into society, you're going to have the chance that these guns will fall into the wrong hands, that's just the fact of life so that's a concern," said West Springfield Police Chief Ronald Campurciani.

Our investigation reflects those who successfully obtained a permit. Store owners and police departments say there were several more people who were denied.

"This is what they want, those and handguns," said West Warren's Whiskey Hill Sports owner, Roger Beaupre.

Beaupre told the 22News I-Team there's an increased interest in automatic weapons and a backlog of gun sales in many places in anticipation of an assault ban.

"These guns have already been bought, they're just getting ready to be delivered they're bought and paid for, they're out there," Beaupre said.

He believes people have a right to own a gun, but in light of recent mass shootings and more inexperienced people seeking to get a gun, even he won't sell to just anyone.

"I sell no gun to anyone if I even have a doubt that they're not competent person, I don't care that they have the paperwork, they're not getting a gun."

Chief Campurciani says he hopes all shops will play it safe.

And after our investigation revealed triple the number of gun owners in West Side, he said his police officers are in high alert as well.

"They're more aware, they're more alert now that the calls they go on there's more of a chance they'll run into a firearm," Campurciani said.

As for gun control legislation President Barack Obama called for restoring a ban on military-style assault weapons and limiting the size of ammunition magazines.

Congress has yet to reach an agreement.

Below are the numbers we found.

Agawam:
12/31/12-1/31/13   125 permits   
12/31/11-1/31/12    65 permits    

Springfield:
12/31/12-1/31/13   172 permits
12/31/11-1/31/12   65 permits

Northampton:  
12/31/12-1/31/13     24 permits
12/31/11-1/31/12     32 permits

Westfield
Jan 2012 74 permits
Jan 2013 138 permits

West Spfld  
12/31/11- 1/31/12    32 permits
12/31/12- 1/31/13    95 permits