New Report from CPRC Shows 11.1 Million Americans Hold Concealed Carry Permits

By John R Lott

Underarmor Gun Holster
New Report from CPRC shows 11.1 million Americans Hold Concealed Carry Permits
Crime Research Prevention Center
Crime Research Prevention Center

Colorado –-(Ammoland.com)-  The Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) recently released a report, Concealed Carry Permit Holders Across the United States, revealing that 11.1 million Americans hold concealed carry permits up from an estimated 4.6 million in 2007 [scroll down to see some updated numbers showing closer to 12 million permit holders].

The last comprehensive report on the number of concealed carry permit holders was completed three years ago by the U.S. Government Accountability Office and showed that 8 million Americans held a concealed carry permit. These numbers show that the number of permits is not only increasing, but they are growing at faster and faster rates.

The report also notes:

  • Three states (South Dakota, Indiana, and Alabama) now have over 10 percent of their adult populations with permits, and 10 states have at least 8 percent of their adult populations with permits.
  • The number of concealed carry permit holders is likely much higher than 11.1 million.  This is true for three reasons: 1) in six states it isn’t necessary to get a permit to carry a concealed handgun, 2) data is not available for all states, and 3) the data for some of the states are two to three years old and thus don’t include the large recent increases in the number of permits.
  • Between 2007 and the preliminary estimates for 2013, murder rates have fallen from 5.6 to 4.4 per 100,000 – a 22 percent drop in the murder rate at the same time that the percentage of the adult population with permits soared by 130 percent. Overall violent crime also fell by 22 percent over that period of time.
News coverage of report.

Some updated numbers (number used in the July report and the updated numbers):

  • Alabama 379,917, Mid-2014 470,005
  • California 35,000, now about 50,000
  • Florida 1,278,246, November 2014 1,346,629
  • Illinois 33,631 end of 2014 over 90,000
  • Indiana 537,964, 2nd Quarter 2014 570,712
  • Michigan 430,095, December 1, 2014 577,294
  • Minnesota 163,758,  August 31, 2014 177,777
  • Tennessee 468,079, November 10, 2014 482,073
  • Utah 550,663, September 30, 2014 582,104
  • West Virginia 92,000,  August 2014, 126,514
    • [Editors NOTE New Jersey still does not recognize the RKBA for average citizens even with a concealed carry law on the books.]

Total increase for just these 10 states: 503,755

With the change in permitting rules in Texas, it is very likely that state will experience at least another 100,000 concealed handgun permits.

The complete Report follows below:

CPRC Report: Concealed Carry Permit Holders Across the United States 2014

About Crime Prevention Research Center
The Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) is a research and education organization dedicated to conducting academic quality research on the relationship between laws regulating the ownership or use of guns, crime, and public safety; educating the public on the results of such research; and supporting other organizations, projects, and initiatives that are organized and operated for similar purposes. Visit: www.crimepreventionresearchcenter.org