The Mid-Hudson News Network is reporting sales of pistol permits in the region have been on the rise in the recent months. Officials in both Columbia and Sullivan counties report they are adjusting their schedules and rules to accommodate applicants. In Columbia County, Sheriff David Bartlett confirmed there has been an increase in the number of pistol permit applications and a large influx of students taking gun safety courses in recent months. According to a related report in the Register-Star, there were 360 applications submitted in December alone. Because of the increase, Bartlett's office has set aside additional office hours for processing during the month of January. In Sullivan county, the number of pistol permits doubled this year. More than half of the applicants lately have been from women, county clerk Daniel Briggs said. He attributed the rise in permit applications to recent mass shootings. “Then you have the sheriffs, on top of that, suggesting that people try and take precautionary measures in defending themselves. You put all those factors together and you have a situation where people take measures to try and protect themselves,” Briggs said. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.