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

37 Items
Litigation Documents • Guns in Public Places • January 4, 2016

Amicus Brief: GeorgiaCarry.org v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Everytown for Gun Safety filed this amicus brief in a case challenging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ regulation of guns in recreational areas administered by the Corps. Everytown’s brief provided the court hearing the challenge with previously overlooked materials regarding the history of regulating guns in areas, like the Corps’ recreation areas, where members of the public congregate.

Also featured in:  The Gun Lobby  

Reports • Guns in Public Places • December 31, 2015

Analysis of School Shootings

In 2013, Everytown began tracking gunfire in schools and at college and universities — public reports that a firearm was discharged inside a school building or on school or campus grounds — and have since identified qualifying incidents that included fatal and nonfatal assaults, suicides, and unintentional shootings.
Fact Sheets • The Gun Lobby • July 9, 2015

Guns in Bars

There is strong evidence that those under the influence of alcohol are at an elevated risk of violent behavior, including gun violence.

Also featured in:  Guns in Public Places  

Polls • Guns in Public Places • March 16, 2015

2015 National Survey of Voters' Attitudes Toward Permitless Carry

Strategies 360 conducted a national survey of likely 2016 voters on behalf of Everytown for Gun Safety to better understand public attitudes towards carrying concealed weapons.1 The survey found that 88% of voters oppose proposals to make it legal for people to carry concealed loaded weapons in public without a permit.
Fact Sheets • Domestic Violence •

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

Also featured in:  Background Checks    Guns in Public Places