State Roundup

Lansing Concealed gun permits increase across Michigan LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- The number of concealed weapons permits in Michigan has doubled over the past five years and now stands at 270,000. While the totals are on the rise, the pace at which such permits have been embraced varies by region. In one Upper Peninsula county, nearly one in 10 adults 21 and older has a permit, according to an analysis published Tuesday by Booth Newspapers. The figure is fewer than three out of 100 in several West Michigan counties. Wherever they live, however, the number of permit holders is rising, and the reason for most is the same: protection. "God created men, but Sam Colt made them equal," said Mike Visser, a certified firearms instructor in Kent County who has trained hundreds seeking a concealed pistol license. Ten years ago this week, Michigan became a "shall-issue" state, making it easier for residents to obtain concealed licenses if they are at least 21 and meet certain requirements. The first year, 53,000 permits were approved, according to State Police records. Today, the number has quintupled. Five of the state's top 10 counties in terms of licenses per capita are in the Upper Peninsula, and all are in northern Michigan. Five of the bottom 10 -- Kent, Ottawa, Kalamazoo, Muskegon and Berrien counties -- are in west and southwest Michigan. In Kent County, the lowest, only 18 in 1,000 adults has a concealed pistol license, half the state average. Mason Michigan State student charged with animal cruelty MASON, Mich. (AP) -- A Michigan State University osteopathic medicine student is accused of killing 10 dogs and severely neglecting another. Andrew David Thompson was arraigned Monday on 10 felony counts of animal killing and a misdemeanor count of animal cruelty. The 24-year-old is being held at the Ingham County jail on a $100,000 bond. He faces up to four years in prison on the felony charges and 93 days in jail on the misdemeanor. A preliminary hearing is set for July 7. Thompson's attorney, George Zulakis, told the Lansing State Journal he hadn't seen any police reports and couldn't comment on the allegations. Thompson was suspended by the Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine. University spokesman Kent Cassella says the alleged actions don't "reflect the values of MSU." Detroit Woman in Fla.-based hooker probe seeks leniency DETROIT (AP) -- A woman who helped run an international prostitution ring is asking Detroit federal judge for leniency as she returns to court for her sentence. In a court filing, Laurie Carr's attorney says she's a single mother making $2,600 a month working for a ticket broker in Hollywood, Fla. The Miami-area woman is returning to court Tuesday. She's the former wife of Greg Carr, a Michigan native who ran a Florida-based prostitution service that sent women to see customers in big cities and other countries. He was recently sentenced to 14 months in prison. The U.S. attorney's office in Detroit is recommending a year and a day in prison for Laurie Carr, which would allow her to shave her sentence for good behavior. Published: Wed, Jun 29, 2011