Details about this story

• Source: Birmingham News
• Date: February 18, 2007
• URL: Read the story
• Bylines: Stan Diel
• Topics: Firearms
• Data Types: Local Data
• Description/Excerpt: An analysis of Jefferson and Shelby counties' records shows that the carrying of concealed pistols in greater Birmingham cuts across economic and cultural lines. Those who have permits to carry guns include cabbies, construction workers, surgeons, chief financial officers and clergy. More than 16,000 women in Jefferson County and about 2,600 in Shelby County have permits, making women account for nearly a third of all legally concealed handguns in the area. The most concealed pistol permits - as a percentage of the population - are found in western and northern Jefferson County; the fewest are found in southern and eastern Shelby County. But residents of Birmingham and of the suburbs, and residents of every ZIP code in the two counties, have permits to carry concealed guns, according to data for the 12 months ending last September.