The number of Washington residents getting a concealed weapons permit has increased 44 percent over the past five years.

The state Department of Licensing says license holders jumped from about 179,000 in 2003 to 258,000 last year.

Federal buildings, courthouses, military installations, bars, schools and airports are off-limits to concealed weapons, but they are allowed in most other public areas.

Washington’s constitution does allow for residents to “open carry” a gun on their hip in public, but many gun owners choose to apply for the state Concealed Pistol License, or CPL, and keep their weapon hidden.

There is no training requirement to get a CPL in Washington - to be eligible, residents must pass national and local criminal background checks and have no felony or domestic violence misdemeanor convictions, nor any warrants for their arrest. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)