Guns in Public Places

In recent years, the gun lobby has promoted a state legislative agenda that would ultimately allow anyone to carry a gun anywhere. As a result, legislators have considered bills that remove any and all limitations on gun carrying, which would allow guns in some of society’s most vulnerable spaces, like schools, public parks, and bars, and would let anyone carry a concealed handgun in public without a permit, even if they have a violent criminal record and haven’t undergone any training.

Everytown’s research has shown that expanding the areas where guns can be carried and the circumstances in which they can be used is only associated with greater harm. So-called Stand Your Ground laws, which encourage the use of deadly force outside the home, are associated with significantly higher justifiable homicide rates. After Georgia passed its Stand Your Ground law, the number of justifiable homicides in the states increased by 83 percent. In Florida, it tripled. This push towards allowing easy access to guns in a growing variety of public places has only resulted in a greater risk of gun violence, often justified by increasingly permissive laws.

Guns in Public Places

guns in public places
Fact Sheets

Arming Teachers Is a Dangerous Proposal

39 Items
Fact Sheets • Guns in Public Places • June 25, 2018

Concealed Carry Reciprocity (H.R. 38): Overriding State Public Safety Laws

Representative Richard Hudson’s (R-NC) concealed carry reciprocity legislation (H.R. 38), would force each state to recognize concealed carry permits from every other state, overriding each state’s core public safety laws on who is too dangerous to carry guns in public or even to possess guns at all. Law enforcement overwhelmingly opposes this legislation, which would put police in danger of being sued for doing their jobs.
Fact Sheets • Domestic Violence • June 21, 2018

"Concealed Carry Reciprocity" Forces States to Let Domestic Abusers Carry Concealed Handguns

Also featured in:  Background Checks    Guns in Public Places  

Fact Sheets • Guns in Public Places • June 12, 2018

Disarm Hate

Approximately 8,000 hate crimes a year involve a firearm—more than 20 each day. And reports indicate that hate crimes are on the rise. But in most of the United States, there is no law prohibiting people convicted of violent hate crimes from having guns.
Maps • Guns in Public Places • May 25, 2018

Gunfire on school grounds in the United States

There have been at least [et_school_shootings_count type="all"] incidents of gunfire on school grounds in America since 2013. How many more before our leaders pass common-sense laws to prevent gun violence and save lives?
Fact Sheets • Guns in Public Places • April 25, 2018

High Capacity Magazines and Assault Weapons

High capacity magazines(HCMs) and assault weapons (AWs) are commonplace in mass shooting incidents. By increasing the number of bullets a shooter can fire without reloading, HCMs make firearms more lethal. Prohibitions on HCMs can help prevent mass shootings, and reduce the daily devastation of gun violence in America.