SPRINGFIELD, iLL. • The number of people licensed to own guns in Illinois jumped by more than 78,500 last year, possibly fueled by a belief the state was poised to legalize the concealed carry of weapons.

According to figures provided by the Illinois State Police, nearly 1.4 million people had Firearm Owner Identification Cards as of Jan. 1, compared with just over 1.3 million the year before.

"That is a pretty big increase," said Mark Walsh, campaign director of the Illinois Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

The State Police reported receiving 321,437 applications in 2011, up from 287,552 in 2010. The 2011 figure represents a significant increase in the number of applications from five years ago, when the State Police received 225,594 FOID card requests.

The 6.1 percent increase in FOID cards comes as Illinois continues to be a focal point among gun rights advocates as the lone state that does not allow people to carry concealed weapons in public.

The FOID card does not allow people to carry guns in public. Rather, in order to possess or purchase firearms or ammunition, residents of the state of Illinois are required to have the card.

Observers said a number of factors likely led to the surge.

State Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, says interest in getting a FOID card may have risen after concealed carry legislation was approved in Wisconsin last year.

"That may have gotten people thinking Illinois will be next," Phelps said.

Phelps sponsored a proposal in May that would have legalized concealed weapons in Illinois. It fell six votes short of the 71 needed for passage in the Illinois House a day after Gov. Pat Quinn said he'd veto the measure if it landed on his desk.

A handful of lawsuits are pending in state and federal court in an attempt bring Illinois gun laws in line with other states.

Attorneys involved in one of those lawsuits have been waiting since August for U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough to issue a ruling on whether recent court decisions elsewhere provide the necessary legal grounds to overturn Illinois' ban on concealed weapons.

Todd Vandermyde, who lobbies in Illinois on behalf of the National Rifle Association, said along with the concealed carry issue, economic instability may be leading people to feel more exposed to violence.

"You can't put it on any one issue," Vandermyde said.