Orange County saw a record 2,480 pistol permit applications submitted, marking the highest number ever received, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

It's a surge in gun ownership noticed by Alice Serpi, the owner of Master Class Shooters Supply in Monroe.

Serpi and manager Richard Cuozzo say those applications correlate to foot traffic in their store, saying more customers are coming in for guns, supplies and shooting practice.

"A lot of people came in when the pandemic began," said Cuozzo, "especially looking for home protection. A lot of people are concerned about crime in general."

Gun control advocacy groups like Everytown For Gun Safety say the increase in gun purchases during the pandemic has led to an increase in gun violence. In a report on gun violence and COVID-19 in 2020, ​Everytown states “with more guns came exposure to higher risks of suicide, and more homicides and unintentional shootings.”

Master Class runs a safety class buyers must complete to apply for a pistol permit. Serpi says it's taking longer than ever for residents to be approved for their permits to carry handguns and pistols.

"We do them twice a month, roughly 10 people each class,” Serpi said, “and it takes them a while now because there are so many applying."

There are about 30,000 pistol permit holders in Orange County right now, according to county data. Serpi and Cuozzo expect that number to grow in the years ahead, as they say more people are concerned about safety.

"For the most part, it's personal protection,” Cuozzo said. “Some people have never shot a handgun before, and they come to us.”