The Butler County sheriff’s office has issued nearly 1,500 more licenses to carry concealed firearms for the first eight months of this year than it did for the same period in 2015.

Through Aug. 31, 4,612 licenses were issued. The number for the first eight months of 2015 was 3,152.

Sheriff Mike Slupe attributed the jump to two factors — the debate over gun control and mass shootings across the globe.

“Anytime there is a major event, we have people come in,” he said.

Among the violence this year was the July 7 shooting in Dallas that killed five police officers and injured nine others, as well as the July 25 shooting at a Fort Myers, Fla., club that left two dead and 19 injured.

Slupe said license applications rose last year following such terroristic attacks as the Nov. 13, 2015, coordinated assault in Paris, when 130 people were killed and another 368 injured during shootings and bombings.

Another attack followed in Dec. 2, 2015, when a mass shooting and attempted bombing in San Bernardino, Calif., killed 14 and wounded 17.

“It doesn’t matter where in the world,” Slupe said about attacks that influence license applications.

He said people also become concerned when the issue of gun control rears its head, leading to increased interest.

According to Slupe, that concern could be generated by political rhetoric during a presidential race or anytime federal legislators call for gun control.

“People in this county take offense to it because they take their Second Amendment rights seriously,” he said.

The total number of licenses issued in 2015 was 5,803, up from the 5,366 in 2014.

And Slupe anticipates a large number next year due to the pending renewal for the 7,324 people who got licenses in 2012.

Among the mass shootings that year was the July 20 incident at Aurora, Colo., in which James Holmes opened fire with a semi-automatic weapon at a midnight screening of a movie, killing 12 people and injuring another 48.

Slupe cited another major event that year having an impact on license applications was the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that claimed the lives of 27 people, including 20 children, on Dec. 14, in Newtown, Conn.

He said his office was issuing more than 100 licenses on some days extending into early 2013.

“They were lined up,” Slupe said.

Since Pennsylvania is an open-carry state, residents only need licenses for concealed guns.

State law prohibits people with certain criminal offenses, mental health issues, certain drug charges or under protection from abuse restrictions from being licensed to have a concealed firearm.

Along with offenses involving weapons, other crimes such as felony theft and corruption of minors are grounds for denial.

In addition to denying a license, the sheriff is authorized to revoke a license.

Whether a denial or revocation, the gun owner has the right to request a hearing before Slupe to request a reversal of the decision.

If dissatisfied with the sheriff’s ruling, the person may appeal it in Butler County court.

Counting deaths of license holders and lost/stolen licenses, the sheriff’s office revoked or denied 136 licenses through August, 203 in 2015, 137 in 2014 and 113 in 2013.

Slupe supports every law-abiding resident being licensed, provided they are properly trained to use guns and learn state law governing firearms.

To that end, his office conducts two-day courses providing that education and training.