A new position has been created in the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office after a record number of applications for conceal and carry permits were filed last year.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Bruce Bechtold says in 2016 Stearns County processed 3,335 permits. That is more than 1,300 more permits than in 2015. With the overwhelming number of conceal and carry applications the sheriff’s office received approval to hire an extra office specialist from the county board. This new position will have the sole responsibility of processing handgun permits.

Every application has a $100 processing fee that will be used to cover the cost of the new full-time employee.