The number of Texans obtaining concealed handgun licenses has increased dramatically:

A growing number of Texans have applied and are authorized to carry concealed guns, show Texas Department of Public Safety records.

Figures for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, which ended Aug. 31, have yet to be compiled, but at the end of calendar year 2009 the number of concealed handgun licenses increased 61.4 percent compared to the previous year, DPS reported.

“The demand for concealed handgun licenses remains high,” agency spokesman Tom Vinger said. “For more than a year we’ve had extra personnel to handle the demand.”

You can find the raw data here.