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CHARLOTTE -- More Americans report owning guns now than at any other time in the last two decades. According to a recent Gallup poll, gun ownership jumped in the past year, from 41 percent to 47 percent, and women account for a large portion of those numbers. Forty three percent of women now say they own a gun.

"I was more the type that was afraid of guns having a child in the home," said Cathy Young. "I've had a man that's been stalking me for many years and it's just a way to protect myself."

Larry Hyatt, owner of Hyatt Gun and Coin in Charlotte believes the spike in business was triggered by what's going on in the world.

"Right now people are still very fearful," he said. "They're worried about the economy, they're worried about crime, they're afraid our institutions are failing."

The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office issued 3,800 gun permits already this year, compared to about 1,600 permits in 2008. There's a 30-day wait to buy a permit and 90 days for a concealed carry permit.