Over the past four years, the number of Stafford County residents permitted to conduct some type of firearm-related activity has steadily increased, according to data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The number of Stafford residents with federal firearm licenses has risen by 69 percent from 13 licensees in May 2010 to 22 licensees in May 2014, according to an ATF list of licensees with Stafford listed as the location. That list doesn’t distinguish whether the licensee operates out of a home or commercial space.

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