In CT you have to get a permit just to purchase a firearm.

In December state police, who are responsible for processing the background checks for those permits, had a fairly normal backlog of around 1,000 pending background checks.

Now, just over 4 months later, and following the Newtown shooting and the passage of extremely strict new gun laws, that backlog has grown to over 60,000, an increase of around 6,000%

There are several reasons for the massive increase. One, part of the new gun control package passed by CT last month included an “effective immediately” provisions which now requires a background check for rifle and shotgun sales as well as handguns.

Two, gun sales across the country are at record smashing highs as Americans purchase firearms fearing future new gun legislation. It is probably even worse in CT since many of the new laws banning certain types of weapons have already been passed, but aren’t yet in effect.

State police plan to hire more people to help clear the backlog. This is going to cost taxpayers an estimated $4 million over the next two years.

The cost of CT’s new draconian gun laws wasn’t something that was talked about too much during the emotional debates last month.

It is estimated the new gun control package will cost CT taxpayers $17 million over the next two years.

Many people, including members of the state police and state Republicans aren’t very happy with the situation overall.

According to CTPost.com,