Ridgefielders are up in arms — literally.
Despite a gun buyback over the summer that saw 103 guns turned in to the Police Department, the department issued more pistol permits than ever before in 2013.
The department’s detective division uses a 12-month scale that spans from Oct. 15 to Oct. 1 when tracking pistol permit data.
In that time period for 2012-13, 157 pistol permits were issued compared to 91 reported from Oct. 15, 2011, to Oct. 1, 2012.
Police Chief John Roche said in the 2013 calendar year, 149 permits were issued and that the numbers are already high in 2014 with 12 permits issued so far.
In comparison, from Oct. 15, 2004, to Oct. 1, 2005, 29 pistol permits were issued — a little more than double the number issued in not even two months this year.
“Pistol permits are always something we have to be aware of,” Chief Roche said. “More guns are always a concern for us because they could be used on an innocent or an officer at any moment.”
While the numbers of permits issued saw its biggest increase since 2008-09 — 82, up from 39 in 2007-08 — the number of active holders is down in town.
Last year, there were some 749 active holders, according to State Police, up from around 573 in 2009.
Now, there are approximately 650 active holders in town.
“People have the right to own a weapon,” Chief Roche said. “A law-abiding citizen, with a permit to carry, is not something we should have to concern ourselves with, but times have changed.”
At a Police Commission meeting on Jan. 9, chairman Thomas Reynolds spoke about recent events such as the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012.
“After 9/11, gun sales and permits went up, but after Newtown they really went up,” he said.
At the meeting, Chief Roche said 10 pistol permits were issued in December.
The commission talked about the subject of guns in town for 10 to 15 minutes before the discussion was tabled.
Chief Roche said he planned to talk about the issue more at the next meeting, which was held last night.
He added that he would like to try another gun buyback this year, but noted it was entirely dependent on donations.
An anonymous donor contributed the money — $29,500 — that was spent to buy back weapons and ammunition in August.
The entire collection was turned over to state police to be destroyed.