For many a visit to a mall or other public venue includes the secretive game dubbed "people watching," which may include guessing professions, personalities and other personal information from afar.

There's a new caveat to that seemingly innocent game in Minnesota now: think that person is packing heat?

That new aspect to "people watching" comes as state rules have been relaxed for allowing people to receive permits to carry concealed handguns.

The change came after one of the longer Senate debates in memory and after Gov. Tim Pawlenty again inked his name to a controversial social law nearly immediately upon its passage and with little or no fanfare, according to broadcast reports.

SURVEY What do you think of the relaxed rules on issuing permits allowing people to carry concealed weapons nearly everywhere? Frankly, it's very unsettling and a bad omen to me. Once the dust settles people won't even think about it. I haven't made up my mind. It's OK and helps people feel safer who want to. It's about time Minnesota caught up with other states. Results  |  Disclaimer

His quick and quiet signing of the bill comes less than a month after he similarly quickly signed a 24-hour abortion-waiting period with little or no comment.

State estimates are that after the bill goes into affect in a month that, eventually, the number of Minnesotans walking through daily life with a concealed handgun will rise from less than 12,000 today to more than 90,000, according to the Star Tribune.

Supporters said that nearly 40 other states have passed similar laws without dire consequences and that Minnesotans should have a right to protect themselves against violence and crime.

People on both sides of the debate did agree on one point: the measure is supported by only three groups in the National Rifle Association, a state group calling itself the Concealed Carry Reform Now! and the Republican Party of Minnesota.

Opponents argue that the bill isn't restrictive enough about where the guns can be carried, among other things, and that conditions are too loose on who can have one.

They said the law requires churches, malls and other public locales to not only post signs saying concealed guns aren't allowed but to also personally tell each person coming into the locale about the rule.

They also note that the law doesn't allow police chiefs and sheriffs to use alleged acts as a reason to deny the permit meaning someone accused, but not convicted, of assaults, public drunkenness or other crimes cannot be denied the permit based on that information.