COBB COUNTY, Ga — Cobb County has seen a sharp increase in applications for gun permits. The probate court used to see about 50 permits a day. That number has jumped to over 100 a day.
“We haven’t seen a spike like this since December of 2015 and early 2016,” Chief Judge Kelli Wolk said. She describes this year as an “enormous bump.”
The probate court reopened for gun permits in May by appointment only because of the coronavirus. Cobb County residents will continue to need an appointment through September. Chief Judge Kelli Wolk says the decision came after speaking with public health officials.
“People tend to line up by the dozens to get into the office, and the space to do that is relatively small,” Wolk said. Getting a weapons license requires fingerprinting. The court system needed time to figure out how to handle the customers safely.
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“The proximity of people in the courthouse put them, my staff and others who do business here in danger of spreading COVID-19,” Wolk said.
The court has plans to open up more appointments based on staffing.
“We have no interest in not serving the demand for permits, but we must do it safely,” Wolk said.
If you just need to renew your license, it is recommended that you do so by mail.
Cox Media Group
