The sheriff of Cascade County says he's signed off on more than 300 concealed weapon permits in the past three weeks.
    
Sheriff Bob Edwards says the average of about 100 a week is well above the 10 to 15 concealed weapons permits he usually signs a week.
    
But he says he was expecting it because of concerns about possible action involving federal gun control.
    
Edwards says Cascade County now has about 2,100 residents with concealed carry permits.
    
Edwards says Montana is an open-carry state, meaning a person can walk down the street with a handgun as long as it's visible. But if a person wants to conceal a gun a permit is needed.