GRANDVIEW, Mo. -- It doesn't matter what side of the state line you're on, more and more people are carrying guns; or at least getting a permit so they can.

In just the past few months, local sheriff's offices have been inundated with applicants for conceal and carry permits.

In Jackson County, they have issued 1,500 permits this year, almost 400 more than last year and about 800 more than 2006.

In Platte County, 183 permits were issued in 2007, compared to 255 already in 2008.

Why the increase?

"There could be some changes coming down the road," said Joe Ford of Grain Valley.

Ford said many people like him are wondering if a new administration coming to the White House might also mean changes to the second amendment. He doesn't want to risk waiting.

"I just think it's our right. I think everybody should have a permit whether they decide to carry or not. The choice is ours, and I feel strongly about that," Ford said.

The increase in interest has meant a boom in business for Reese Dalton, who teaches conceal and carry classes from his JACO Security and Supply Store in Grandview.

Dalton said he used to average about a dozen students per class. "In the past 30 to 60 days, we have had an increase of 20 to 25 per class. We're really getting inundated," he said.

Most of the students at Dalton's latest class agreed that they're looking for peace of mind by taking the class.

Student Vern Johnson said, "The biggest motivation was safety of myself and my family."

Johnson's home in south Kansas City was burglarized twice in the first eight weeks he lived there, just long enough for the insurance company to replace everything before the burglars came back.

"It's my concern that I'm going to pull into my driveway and someone is going to come from the back of my house to meet me," Johnson said.

KCTV5's Carolyn Long followed Johnson through the process of getting his permit. That process begins with five hours in the classroom, where Dalton, a retired 20-year police veteran from Grandview, teaches the ins and outs of the law -- where you can carry a firearm, how to carry it, when to use it and the liability you are accepting.

Then it's off to a shooting range for three more hours to qualify with a revolver and an automatic, not a place for beginners.

"This is not a basic class to teach you how to shoot. You need a working knowledge of firearms," Dalton said.

Missouri students are allowed 50 practice shots, then must hit the target 15 out of 20 tries from the seven yard line.

Kansas residents use a different, smaller target and must shoot from various distances.

"They have to hit this silhouette 18 out of 25 times to pass their firearms qualifications course," Dalton said.

Johnson passed his shooting test with ease. "I'm 20 for 20 on both revolver and automatic. Good feeling," he said.

Johnson received a certificate stating that he passed the firearms safety training. He took that to his local sheriff's office, along with proper identification and two checks, one for the highway patrol and one for the sheriff's department.

His fingerprints were taken and sent through an intense background check which can take up to six weeks in Missouri and up to six months in Kansas.

But Johnson is willing to wait. "If you put me in a position that it's my life or yours, frankly, I'd rather it be yours," he said.

The cost of applying for a conceal and carry permit varies from state to state, but averages about $200 from start to finish. It requires renewal, much like your driver's license. In Missouri, it's a simple renewal every three years. In Kansas, it's every four years and requires a four-hour refresher course.

For more information on conceal and carry classes, visit JACO Security and Supply's Web site.