The new study by the Crime Prevention Research Center was originally published here.
U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- The CPRC has just issued our newest annual report on the number of concealed handgun permits in the US. A copy of the report is available for download here. Some updated numbers are shown at the bottom of this post. Past reports can be viewed here. The executive summary is shown here:
Despite the expectations of many after the 2016 elections, the number of concealed handgun permits has again increased. In 2018, the number of concealed handgun permits soared to over 17.25 million – a 273% increase since 2007. 7.14% of American adults have permits. Unlike surveys that may be affected by people’s unwillingness to answer some personal questions, concealed handgun permit data is the only really “hard data” that we have on gun ownership across the United States. Still, an even larger number of people carry because in 14 states people don’t need a permit to carry in all or virtually all those states.
Among the findings of our report:
- Last year, despite the common perception that growth in the number of permit holders would stop after the 2016 election, the number of permits grew by about 890,000.
- Outside the restrictive states of California and New York, about 8.63% of the adult population has a permit.
- In fifteen states, more than 10% of adults have permits, up from just eleven last year.
- Alabama has the highest rate — 22.1%. Indiana is second with 17.9%, and South Dakota is a close third with 17.2%.
- Four states now have over 1 million permit holders: Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
- Another 14 states have adopted constitutional carry in all or almost all of their state, meaning that a permit is no longer required. However, because of these constitutional carry states, the nationwide growth in permits does not paint a full picture of the overall increase in concealed carry.
- Permits continued to grow much faster for women and minorities. Between 2012 and 2018, the percent of women with permits grew 111% faster for women and the percent of blacks with permits grew 20% faster than for whites. Permits for Asians grew 29% faster than for whites.
- Concealed handgun permit holders are extremely law-abiding. In Florida and Texas, permit holders are convicted of misdemeanors and felonies at one-sixth of the rate at which police officers are convicted.
The report is available to be downloaded here.
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
@Darren, don’t think for a minute that the mightiest,can never fall… Ebar hear the story of, David and Goliath? Speaking of which, they didn’t have a problem taking down, Jesus Christ.
More Democratic voters are fighting against the Anti-Gun propaganda ATTACKS on our second amendment RIGHTS! Also, more women are empowering themselves by taking personal control of their own safety and security. Now is the time we DEMAND more Democratic Politicians to stand up and SUPPORT our 2nd. Amendment right and stop these gun-grabbing laws!
Sorry [Darren] guys and gals. My last was meant @Larry Brickey.
See what happens with a good laugh, even your kids will get called the wrong name.
@WB: That’s funny! @Darren: Wild Bill is TOTALLY right!!!
I Like The Way Our Political Class, Tell Us That We Don’t Need, Our Guns, But They Need Theirs, Because Of Who They Are. The Truth Is, We (All Of Us) Have To Give Up Our Equalizers, Because They Can’t Trust Us!!! Don’t You Find It Strange, That At Any Of There Meetings, Or TV Interviews, Not One Single Reformed Crook Is On Stage With Them. Telling You, That If You Gave Up Your Guns, Like These Lying Politician’s Say, That Every Crooks In America, Would Be More Afraid Of You???
Myself as well as my wife. BOTH CARRY License issue concealed carry permits I will not leave my house without it nor will my wife we are not going to be the next one you see on any news being slaughtered like sheep Every good American should exercise their Second Amendment rights to protect them selves and their families and the Democrats don’t like it they can kiss my ass it’s the constitution they should learn to read it
“concealed handgun permit data is the only really “hard data” that we have on gun ownership across the United States. Still, an even larger number of people carry because in 14 states people don’t need a permit to carry in all or virtually all those states” While these numbers in the article are good, for values of good, the statements are totally misleading. At best these are educated guesses on nuber of people who actually daily carry. 1. Concealed permits have nothing to do with gun ownership. They don’t take into account long guns of any type. 2. You can… Read more »
If you do not have protection for yourself and your family you, possibly, put yourself in the middle of a crisis with no way to get out of it. I live in a nice area, on a dead end road, but I have no idea who may be casing the area and might decide to come and take what I have. They will get more than they bargained for. The local sheriff dept. is only about 10 minutes away, or so.
While I’m glad more people are carrying I’m concerned that licenses to carry are a form of gun registration. They’re registering the gun owners rather than the guns directly. These licenses need to be abolished so we can freely exercise the right to bear arms.
My state is in the top ten, has open carry law but not constitutional carry. All states should have constitutional carry.I have carried my whole life. Why do I need one now? Registration?