Dear Bad Guys...

In the first half of this year, the Concealed Handgun Licensing Bureau at the Texas Department of Public Safety handled an average of 12,700 applications a month compared to 8,700 during the same period in 2008, a 46 percent increase.

A good percentage of those applicants are from West Texas, particularly from Lubbock and Randall counties. Potter County, which has roughly the same population as Randall County, has a significantly lower number of residents with concealed-gun licenses.

Concealed guns in West Texas

• Since the early days of the Wild West in the 19th century, guns have been an integral part of the Texas culture. Yet, it wasn't until the mid-1990s when the Legislature approved- and Gov. George W. Bush signed into law - a bill that allows any Texan over 21 and with no criminal record to carry a concealed weapon. In West Texas, the percentage of residents who already have a license is higher than the state average. These are some of the numbers as of March 17.
County License holders Percentage of all licensees

Lubbock 3,695 1.13
Randall 2,151 0.66
Potter 1,156 0.35
Gray 359 0.11
Hutchinson 352 0.11
Hale 311 0.09
Moore 251 0.08
Deaf Smith 194 0.06
Gaines 187 0.06
Terry 143 0.04

Where most license holders live
• Although compared to the state as a whole, West Texas has a higher than average percentage of concealed handgun license holders, the Houston-Galveston-Beaumont area has the highest number and percentage.

These are the six leading counties.
County License holders Percentage of all licensees

Harris 50,836 15.52
Montgomery 9,046 2.76
Fort Bend 7,715 2.36
Galveston 6,028 1.84
Brazoria 5,923 1.81
Jefferson 4,791 1.46

Source: Texas Department of Public Safety

God Bless America, Y`all